The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Council did not have State approval to dig up holy well
COUNCIL ADMITS THEY DIDN’T HAVE APPROVAL TO DIG OUT ANCIENT WELL
KERRY County Council has admitted it did not have the necessary state approval to carry out the partial demolition of an ancient holy well in Tralee.
The work – which was being carried out for health and safety reasons – was halted following the intervention of a local history enthusiast. As the well is listed as being of ‘archaeological significance’ approval for such work is needed from the National Monuments Service. KCC has admitted it did not seek such approval.
KERRY County Council has admitted it did not have the necessary state approval to carry out significant works – including the partial demolition – of the ancient Sunday’s Well holy well in Tralee.
Kerry County Council has said it regrets that notification wasn’t sought prior to carrying out safety works at the holy well in Lisloose, Tralee, where the well’s outer stone arch was completely destroyed by a digger on Monday afternoon.
The well is a well-known site among Tralee people and is thought to be the ‘pure crystal fountain’ referred to in the lyrics of ‘The Rose of Tralee’.
Local resident Neilus O’Shea, who lives in Sunday’s Well, said he was shocked when he saw a mini-digger scraping the ancient structure and he immediately rushed to the scene demanding that work be stopped - by which time the well’s external stone arch had been completely destroyed.
Neilus phoned the council and was told they were ‘improving it’ by building a new, metre high wall and safety grill.
As the holy well is listed as being of ‘archaeological significance’ approval for such work is required from the National Monuments Service who must be notified, at least two months before any works commence.
Kerry County Council has admitted it did not seek such approval.
“Kerry County Council regrets that notification wasn’t issued to the National Monuments Service for works carried out at the site which are to improve safety at the site,” said a council spokesperson.
The well is located approximately 50-meteres from the entrance to the housing estate and measures approximately 1.17m wide by 1.45m in height. Neilus O’Shea also believes one of the stipulations at the time of the housing estate’s construction was the well would be left untouched.
“It’s really beyond me how they can celebrate Tralee’s 800 birthday and yet set about demolishing part of Tralee’s history at the same time. It’s bizarre. This is an important part of our local history and I was brought up, like many Tralee people, on stories from my grandfather about Sunday’s Well. I believe one of the stipulations was the well would be left untouched once the estate was built. This well is also said to be the ‘pure crystal fountain’ referred to in ‘The Rose of Tralee’ song, so its history and folklore is important to this area,” added Neilus.
County Archaeologist, Michael Connolly - who was not present during the demolition - said the well itself has not been destroyed but only the arch covering it. He believes the arch was poorly constructed – around 20 or 30 years ago – and is not of archaeological importance.
“It was never the intention to destroy the well as the well is still there. I’m led to believe the works were carried out because some years ago a child fell into the well, which was full of broken glass, and a metal grill is now to be put on it for safety reasons. A new arch is also to be built using proper lime mortar,” Michael said.
Councillor Pa Daly raised the issue at Monday’s meeting of the Tralee Municipal District council.
“Who the hell authorised the works at Sunday’s Well? Even ISIS wouldn’t have done that,” he said.
“Generations of Tralee people know of this well and of its historical importance to the heritage of the town. I understand that residents in the area requested it be made safe but were stunned to see its partial destruction by a JCB yesterday,” he said in a later statement.
“What is needed is a full explanation on how this was allowed happen to a listed monument, the only one of its kind in Tralee. I will be looking for an assurance that the well be returned to its previous condition and that something like this is never allowed happen again,” said Cllr Daly.
Work to restore the well has begun.