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All Ireland Kerry Saint Brendan’s Well

Saint Brendan’s Well

An ancient holy well said to be used by the patron saint of sailors and travelers, lost in the boggy west of Valentia Island.

Kerry, Ireland

Added By
Elisa Valentina Polli
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The holy well.   Kerry Wolfe / Atlas Obscura User
Cross and holy well.   Kerry Wolfe / Atlas Obscura User
The Holy Well.   Elise Vale / Atlas Obscura User
Stone crosses in the grass.   Elise Vale / Atlas Obscura User
Ancient stone cross.   Elise Vale / Atlas Obscura User
Road sign on the path to the well.   Elise Vale / Atlas Obscura User
First road sign on the main road.   Elise Vale / Atlas Obscura User
A stile in the bog, useful to reach the well.   Elise Vale / Atlas Obscura User
The road to the well, just past O’Shea’s Pub.   Elise Vale / Atlas Obscura User
A warning panel in the area for those venturing toward the cliffs.   Elise Vale / Atlas Obscura User
A warning panel in the area for those venturing toward the cliffs.   Elise Vale / Atlas Obscura User
Stone cross near St Brendan’s Well   simpsonamanda8 / Atlas Obscura User
Information panel.   Elise Vale / Atlas Obscura User
St Brendan’s Well, October 2019   simpsonamanda8 / Atlas Obscura User
Informational sign, October 2019   simpsonamanda8 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

If you’d love to experience something reminiscent of a medieval adventure, then the ancient well located on the wild and remote west side of Ireland's Valentia Island is worth going out of your way for.

Legend has it that in the 5th century, Saint Brendan “the Navigator,” one of Ireland’s early monastic saints, sailed to this Irish island from Dingle Bay. He then climbed up the steep, wild cliffs at Culoo Rock and anointed two dying pagans at the spring, bringing Christianity to the island.

The well believed to be used by Saint Brendan sits in its original spot and now has a simple altar built around it. Some peculiar offerings, like shoes, are placed there by pilgrims. Near the holy spring you’ll notice three medieval stone crosses—presumably from the 7th or 8th century—hidden within the high, wind-whipped grass.

The whole area is quite desolated; you can only see the colors of stones, land, sky, and ocean all around. A kind of solemn, mystic beauty can be felt here. The well is near O’Shea’s Pub, the faux pub made famous by a Guinness commercial, down a remote road riddled with potholes.

Brendan the Navigator is renowned for his legendary quest to the “Isle of the Blessed.” According to some, he is said to have crossed the ocean in his currach, a traditional Irish boat, and discovered North America centuries before Columbus (though others think he found Greenland instead). His exploits are described in the Latin text Navigatio Sancti Brendani (Voyage of Saint Brendan the Navigator) that tells of how he set off onto the Atlantic Ocean with a number of monks in search of the Garden of Eden. The tale fits in with a then-popular genre of Irish stories, called Immram, which detail tales that describe a hero's series of seafaring adventures in search of a distant "Otherworld."

As a result of his journeys, Brendan has always been seen as the patron saint of sailors and those who travel, so his holy well is a must-see for all adventure seekers. The Prayer of Saint Brendan even begins with the lines, “Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown.”

Related Tags

Holy Wells Wells Ancient Islands Medieval Christianity Crosses Legends Saints

Know Before You Go

Once on Valentia island, follow the GPS indications to the well, you’ll meet road signs along the road at a certain point. The final part of the road to Saint Brendan’s Well is full of big potholes, so drive very slowly! As you reach O’Shea’s Pub, leave the car there and proceed on foot. Note that the area is boggy: Bring boots, especially after a rainy period. The cliffs at Culoo are close by, but please pay extreme caution if you go there. It is a place known for tragedies caused by freak waves.

Community Contributors

Added By

Elise Vale

Edited By

simpsonamanda8, Kerry Wolfe

  • simpsonamanda8
  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

September 18, 2017

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Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan
  • http://www.ringofkerry.co/saint-brendans-well-valentia.htm
  • https://books.google.com/books?id=EFgxAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA407&lpg=PA407&dq=emlagh+bog+saint+brendan&source=bl&ots=6vz9F8Sv90&sig=gHqiY8Jk3ilCw6alaYVEwjO5J5Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjYkKbUtK_WAhWg3oMKHV0bB9UQ6AEIUzAN#v=onepage&q=emlagh%20bog%20saint%20brendan&f=false
Saint Brendan’s Well
Emlagh Bog
Valentia Island
Kerry
Ireland
51.911731, -10.400067
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

O'Shea's Pub

Kerry, Ireland

miles away

Telegraph Field Valentia Island

Kerry, Ireland

miles away

Tetrapod Trackway

Kerry, Ireland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kerry

Kerry

Ireland

Places 13

Nearby Places

O'Shea's Pub

Kerry, Ireland

miles away

Telegraph Field Valentia Island

Kerry, Ireland

miles away

Tetrapod Trackway

Kerry, Ireland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kerry

Kerry

Ireland

Places 13

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