Struell Wells
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Struell Wells (Template:Langx; Ulster-Scots: Struell Waals)[1] are a set of four holy wells in the townland of Struell, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland (grid ref: J513442).[2] The wells date from before the time of Saint Patrick, and even today are used for people seeking cures. On Mid-Summer Eve (Saint John's Eve) and the Friday before Lammas, hundreds of pilgrims used to visit Struell.[3] The earliest written reference to the wells is in 1306 when a chapel was recorded on the site,[4] but none of the surviving buildings is earlier than about 1600. Pilgrimages to the site are well documented from the 16th century to the 19th century.[2] The site is managed by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.[5]
Features
A fast flowing stream runs in a south-easterly direction, partly underground, through the secluded, rocky valley, along which is ranged five buildings. The stream (in Irish sruthar) (or sruthail[6]) gives the site its name.[7]
History
In 2006, Environment and Heritage Service officials were asked to explain why the wells were drying up and why two of the wells on the site no longer contained water. They said they were aware of the water flow problems and had remedial measures in place which would involve the excavation of some of the piping.[5]
Gallery
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Struell Wells sign, October 2009
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Struell Wells information board, October 2009
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Well at Struell Wells, October 2009
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Women's bath house, Struell Wells, October 2009
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Well at Struell Wells, October 2009
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Church at Struell Wells, October 2009
References
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- ↑ Inch Abbey – Ulster-Scots translation Template:Webarchive DOE. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
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External links
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- Pages with broken file links
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- Buildings and structures in County Down
- Holy wells in Ireland
- Springs of Ireland
- Religion in County Down
- Downpatrick
- Archaeological sites in County Down
- Northern Ireland Environment Agency properties
- Landforms of County Down
- Bodies of water of Northern Ireland
- Christian holy places