In the heart of Malahide sprung forth a natural spring that provided water for residents in this area since prehistoric times. By the historic era, it was well protected and revered as a holy well in addition to being the source of sustenance for the fisherman village. This well is found along the old Main Street in Malahide, which was later called Chapel Street, then Old Street.
A brilliant fortified well that is attached to a chapel is St. Doulagh’s well in north Dublin County in Fingal near Malahide and Swords. Originally a Pagan spring/well-named Bethesda’s sacred pool, this was yet another glorified takeover by Christianity of Pagan sites and named after Saint Doulagh.
There once was a historic village named Feltrim at the base of the ancient monumental hill known as Feltrim Hill. Here there was also a sacred spring turned holy well that once held legends and lore of its own. These all no longer exist as half of the hill is gone, quarrying destroying much of its heritage.
As common a name as many across the Irish landscape of “Our Lady’s Well” or simply “Holy Well”, a term given to most holy wells during their Christianization and dedication to the Virgin Mary before being assigned to a given Saint, this holy well is no different. In addition, as with many holy wells, it is no longer extant as a well demolished by means of residential construction.
This is the infamous holy well that “Swords” was named after. It was here that St. Colmcille came in 560 C.E., remarked of its clear or pure waters (Irish: Sord), and blessed the waters making it a holy well. The water was so clear that it was described as being almost invisible and was renowned for its curative properties for sore eyes.