Trinity Well, Ballyrafton

Trinity Well is a holy well in the townland of Ballyrafton, parish of Dunmore, Co. Kilkenny. It was recorded by Canon Carrigan in his The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory as a holy well. and is marked on the 6inch 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 25inch Ordnance Survey map and 6inch last edition Ordnance Survey map as a "Well".

The well dedicated to the Holy Trinity is situated in an overgrown area West of the N78 more or less accessible via a farm track and then on foot through the ticket. It consists of a pool of water which runs off in a small stream to join the River Dinan c.100m to the West. There are several stones which show red spots resembling blood stains which resembles the descriptions of Lady's Well in Danesfort parish.

Trinity Well is in the parish of Dunmore, and the parish church of Dunmore is also dedicated to the Holy Trinity.

Folklore
A pattern at the holy well is described in the Schools' Collection as follows: "Our pattern was first held at Trinity Well. This well is near the river away from the road. It is a small well with three trees growing around it. The people used to go there and pray. They would come two or three times a day and drink three mouthfuls of water. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

The three trees which are of course a reference to the Trinity are also referenced in another account in the Schools' Collection: "Trinity well is a little well situated slightly off the main road to Castlecomer from Kilkenny. [...] Near this well is a cave running right under Jenkinstown wood. It is said that the friars used this cave for a retreat from the English soldiers. [...] A friar was pursued one day by soldiers he ran into the cave and other soldiers followed him into it. He hid his gold chalice and other things in the well. He was bending down when a thorn stuck in his neck. Three drops of blood fell around the well. Three trees grew up where the blood fell and from that day to this it has been called the well of the Holy Trinity or Trinity Well.

There are actually stones in the water of the holy well with red stains on them, but they don't seem to be referred to in the Schools' Collection.

There is at least one tall hawthorn tree growing at the holy well which might be one of the trees mentioned in the above account.

Weblinks

 * 3D model on Sketchfab