In common with many parts of Ireland Ballyhaunis has its share of holy wells. There is a holy well dedicated to St. Brigid situated in Kildara (church of the oak tree).

According to legend, St. Patrick is said to have brought the Christian Faith to this area in 440AD. St. Patrick’s Well and Church site is situated in Holywell about three miles outside Ballyhaunis and was a place of veneration and pilgrimage for centuries. The last Sunday in July was the date of the pilgrimage and special prayers were said at the well.

In the millennium year on Sunday evening May 21st people walked to the holy well from St. Patrick’s Parish Church and gathered there in prayer and reflection. Canon Cooney P.P. and Rev. James O’Grady conducted the ceremonies and a plaque was attached to the old tree trunk beside the well.

The old Church site and children’s burial ground in the next field were also visited and a blessing of the burial ground took place.