Submerged for decades, Saint Boden's Well in Wicklow resurfaces and is the location for a special open-air mass.
Saint Boden's Well, at Lacken in County Wicklow was submerged in the 1930s by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) when Poulaphouca Reservoir was built. Before the construction of Blessington Lakes, Saint Boden's Well was a popular place of pilgrimage with waters said to have healing powers.
Local people were glad when the level water of fell at Blessington Lakes revealing the holy well that had been submerged for 40 years.
George Brennan remembers pilgrims making their way to the well for its healing properties,
I remember to see the crutches and sticks at it, and I a child, that was left at it when people got cured.
Another elderly man recalls that in about 1909 he and his two older brothers would drink from the well on their way to the bog to cut turf.
I know if I was near the crutches they'd tell me not to disturb them or the walking sticks.
A special open-air mass attended by 1,000 people is held at Saint Boden's Well. The Sacrament of the Sick is administered during mass and over 200 people are anointed. Many people attending the mass drink the water at the well and fill bottles to bring home.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 6 November 1978. The reporter is Brendan O’Brien.
