Saint Gobnait’s Holy Well

Nestled in the hills of a little-known village called Ballyvourney is where the sacred well of Saint Gobnait lies.

Saint Gobnait was a 6th-century Irish saint known as the patron saint of bees, beekeepers, and ironworkers. She is a healer and a protector of the hearth and home, and her holy well is a tranquil sanctuary where many stories of healing have been told. The water within this well is known to have healing powers, and many visit the well to restore their vitality and pray to the patron saint. The water is crisp, pure, and abundant. The moss that grows inside the well glistens with dew and drips into the reservoir in a continuous flow. The tree beside the well is adorned with countless ribbons, small tokens, and prayer beads. These humble offerings and wishes hang in the branches as silent prayers to the cherished space, heard only by the quiet resonance of the well.

As a beekeeper herself, Saint Gobnait was intrinsically connected to nature. It is said that the precious honey she collected from her hives had special healing abilities, and she used it to treat many of the sick and ailing in her community. Despite her gentle nature, there are also many tales and legends that describe her as a fierce protector. One such account is what first drew forth my desire to discover more about this mysterious heroine.

There was once a band of brigands that stole cattle and other livestock from the locals of several parishes. This devastated many families and communities, as during that time, the people depended on their livestock for their livelihood, and once the cattle were taken from them, they had little means of survival. One day, the group of thieves arrived in Ballyvourney and happened upon a herd of cattle belonging to one of the local farmers. After the farmer had left that afternoon, the thieves snuck into the field and began to herd the cattle away.

Just as they were about to make off with the animals, they heard a strange sound emanating from across the valley. They set their eyes upon the horizon and were horrified to see a looming swarm of bees appearing like a storm cloud above them. The bees descended upon the thieves and began to chase them through the hills, buzzing angrily and relentlessly stinging. The brigands had to abandon the cattle and ran off in a frenzy, never to be seen in Ballyvourney again. These were the very bees belonging to Saint Gobnait, who had commanded them to protect the land. From that moment on, she was rightly known as the patron saint of bees and protector of Ballyvourney village.

There is another tale of a young girl that took place several years ago. She had succumbed to a harrowing disease that left her in great pain and anguish. As there seemed to be little hope for her recovery, she requested to be buried in the churchyard of Saint Gobnait — to rest her soul in a place that she cherished dearly. In one final effort of pure faith, she began a novena of prayers. She performed twenty-one rounds and fasted each morning in honor of the saint.

One day she traveled to the Holy Well and emptied all the water from it. Just as she was about to leave, miraculously, the water was immediately replenished! She peered into the well and, deep at the bottom of the clear water, circled a glowing white fish. It was clear that her prayers were heard, and shortly after this miracle, she was completely cured of her disease.

It is often in the small places — the nooks and crannies that we do not expect — that the most wonderful of secrets are hidden. If you stoop down low enough and take a plunge into the unknown, you just may find an unexpected miracle, too.