| Holy Wells
Danaher mentions four wells in the parish of Monagea. However, two of
these wells are nowadays in the parish of Templeglantine, and one is in
the parish of Newcastlewest. The only remaining well in the parish of
Monagea is in the townland of Rathcahill East.
© Lady's Well
This well is called Lady's Well and is on the roadside across from the
site of the 14th century church in Rathcahill. Three statues have been
erected at the well, and it has been surrounded by a wall. The railing
around the well was built in the 1930s. Workers on the FAS scheme maintain
the well. In the past a large willow tree grew near the well and rags
were tied to the tree as offerings. It is claimed that the water can cure
sore eyes.
© Statue at Lady's Well
The feast day at the well is the 15th of August. Behind the well there
is an area of ground, where three rounds of the well are done in a clockwise
direction while saying the Rosary.
The water in the well is crystal clear. Legend has it that the well moved
when it was cursed. Another legend tells of a woman who took water from
the well to boil and she found a fish in the water. It is claimed that
St Brigid visited the well when she was on her way to Killeedy to see
St Ita.
Danaher also mentions a second well at Mountplummer called St Broney's
Well but nothing is known about the well, its location, or its patron
saint.
© St Banbhan's Well
According to local tradition, there was another Holy Well in the townland
of Ballyshane. This well is called after St Banbhan, who was from the
same race as St Ita. The well is on the land of Eamonn Cregan. No devotions
have taken place in a number of years and no one visits the well today.
However a local man told us that he remembers rosary beads were left
at the well when he was as a child. The water was believed to cure a number
of ailments. The well is situated in boggy land. The water is clean. St
Banbhan's feastday was on May 1st or 9th.
Mass Rock
© Descent to Monagea Mass Cross
Monagea mass rock is in the townland of Glenmore and is known locally
as Clash an Aifreann. Mass is usually held here on the 15th of August.
The mass rock is in a grove of trees and an altar was erected at the
site. The original mass rock was just below the altar and over looks a
stream the flows along the valley. Mass was said at the site in 1999 when
an oak tree was planted.
© Monagea Mass Cross and Altar
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