| Holy Wells
© Lady's Well
Before piped water came to Croom in the 1940's, Our Lady's
Well in the townland of Skagh, was the main source of domestic water to
the town. Nobody ever remembers the well to have gone dry even under drought
conditions.
A legend said that the well was originally sited between two large rocks,
known as Our Lord's rock and the Devil's rock, but because of the abusive
act of a soldier the well moved to where it is now. These rocks are said
to bear the marks of Our Lady's hands, although another local legend claims
they are the handprints of a giant. These rocks are used as mass rocks
on pattern day.
© One of the two large rocks at Our Lady's Well
The well was also supposed to have moved across the river
when clothes were washed in it but the prayers of a holy priest brought
it back. Another story tells of a man who caught a trout that lived in
the well, who died in a lunatic asylum.
Every 15th August, the local custom was to surround the well with flowers
and statues, and people made their rounds, which consisted of reciting
the rosary while walking slowly around the well. Nowadays, people walk
from the well, around the two large rocks, and back around the well, while
saying five decades of the rosary. They also drink water from the well
on each round.
© Toberregan Well
Danaher recorded a Holy Well in the townland of Anhid East,
south of the Anhid church ruin, called Toberregan. This well, locally
known as Egan's well, was a trickle of water on the riverbank. The water
was supposed to cure headaches. No devotions are held here nowadays.
 
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