St Cooey's Wells

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St Cooey's Wells, also called St Cowey's Wells, is the location of three holy wells, and the remains of a 7th century church; it is located in Tara Bay, near Portaferry, County Down.[1] The site is dedicated to St Cooey (also known as St Cowey or St Cu'Mhaighe), a 7th century Irish saint.[2] No documentary evidence about him exists; his legacy has been preserved through oral tradition.[3]

File:Plaque on the site of Temple Cooey - geograph.org.uk - 5476801.jpg
A plaque on a wall near to Templecooey

History

All that remains of St Cooey's 7th century church are the foundation stones. Known as Templecooey, it was once the parish church of Witter.[2] Along with the foundation stones of the church, the gravestones of some early Christians have survived.[4] Records from as early as the 13th century indicate that St Cooey's Wells was a major pilgrimage site, and the wells continued to attract large numbers of pilgrims up until the 18th century.[5] Today, an annual pilgrimage to the site is organised on the Sunday that is closest to the feast day of St Peter and St Paul[3][1][6](29th June).[7]

File:Foundation stones from Temple Cooey in Tara Bay - geograph.org.uk - 3531495.jpg
A foundation stone from Templecooey, displayed outside St Cooey's Oratory in Portaferry

Miracles

The water from the wells was once believed to possess healing powers; it was held as being especially good for eye infections.[8] The three separate wells each have a specific use: one is for washing hands, one is for washing eyes, and the third is for drinking. Local legend dictates that water from the wells stays cold even when boiled.[9] There is large rock on the nearby shore, which is known as the "penitential stone", upon which St Cooey is said to have knelt in penance and prayed.[5][2] Indents upon the rock's surface are said to mark where St Cooey placed his hands and feet whilst praying.[10]

Restoration

File:Mass altar in the ruins of Temple Cooey - geograph.org.uk - 5477323.jpg
The altar that was installed in the 1970s

By the 1970s, St Cooey's Wells had fallen into disrepair.[4] The local parish restored the site, creating a new car park, and making the wells more easily accessible. A new altar was also built on the location of St Cooey's church.[3] The work was completed in 1978.[2]

Location

Map
The location of St Cooey's Wells [11]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "St Cooey's Wells - Churches & Sacred Sites in Portaferry, Portaferry". Ards & North Down. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Campbell, Pete. "Temple Cooey & Wells". Portaferry Parish Official Website. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "St Cooey's Wells Portaferry - 7th century mystical wells with healing properties (maybe)". Activities around Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Cooey's Well, County Down | Roots Northern Ireland - home of 'Triple G'". rootsnorthernireland.com. 2022-12-01. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Brigid (2019-10-23). "Hidden gems in the Ards Peninsula, Templecooey". Sustainable Journeys Ireland. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  6. ↑ "St. Cooey's Well - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting". Travalour. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  7. ↑ "Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles - June 29, 2021 - Liturgical Calendar". www.catholicculture.org. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  8. ↑ "Holy wells: Mapping Ireland's hidden heritage". 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  9. ↑ "Saint Cooey's Well". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  10. ↑ "St Cooey's Wells - Portaferry". Travel Trade. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  11. ↑ https://www.irishstones.org/place.aspx?p=203&i=4
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