Name of Pilgrimage Site: Saint Moling’s Holy Well, Brosna, Co Kerry V92 KC04
Why is it a place of pilgrimage? Tell us the story.
In 614 AD tucked away in the north Kerry parish of Brosna is the site where St. Moling’s mother (Eithne of Luachra) gave birth while stranded in a snowstorm. A native of Kerry, this woman was aided in her delivery by a service of angels who melted the snow around her and made a well spring up. This is the well that attracts locals and visitors all year round. St Moling grew into a young man of great honour, with a strong affinity to the natural world. Folklore says he had a pet fox and lived a very happy life around the hills of Sliabh Luachra.
Saint Mo Ling (614–697), also named Moling Luachra, went on to become the second Bishop of Ferns in Ireland where he is recorded as St Mullins. He is considered one of the four great prophets of Erin. He founded a monastery at St Mullin’s, County Carlow. Also in the 7th century, St. Moling is said to have had a church built at Mullennakill in County Kilkenny. His feast day is 17 June. There are many details of his life contained in two ancient manuscripts: The Birth and Life of St. Moling, and the Borama. It was at his monastery in Carlow that he died in 697AD and laid to rest in Tigh Moling
St Moling’s name was Taircell but was changed to Mo Ling (meaning great leap) when he jumped over three demons that he met on a roadway. The many good Christian deeds and miracles achieved during his lifetime elevated him to sainthood.
Further information e.g. prayers or rituals associated with the pilgrimage
It is the custom to visit the well during the month of May. Each Saturday, pilgrims visit the well that has been lovingly restored and sits with grace in its picturesque setting.
Pilgrims make three slow trips around the natural stone perimeter of the well, saying a full rosary on each rotation. There are five natural stone kneelers embedded in the enclosure that allow pilgrims to kneel or sit during their walk. At the end of the third rosary, pilgrims pick two rushes and form a simple cross, they enter the Well enclosure and place the cross in the well. Pilgrims can bless themselves three times or take three sips of water from the pure spring. There is a flat stone with the outline of a cross on it by the well that pilgrims use a small stone to trace the cross.
In recent years, during May, the Parish Priest, Fr Martin Spillane has hosted a celebratory mass at the well for the community and welcome visitors. The well is visited regularly by pilgrims from Carlow who are always interested to see the birthplace of their county saint.
The tasteful and sensitive restoration of the well was carried out by the Brosna Heritage group in 1998 under the guidance of James Scanlon, International Sculptor and Glazier who is a native of Brosna.