The Holy Well in Balla

Thousands used to visit it long ago from 15th August (lá Muire beag) to 8th Sept (Lá Muire Mór)
Station 1 Kneel at well and say Pater and Ave.
2 Go on your knees to altar.
3 Say seven Paters and aves.
4 Go seven times round the tower.
Saint Cronan was buried there 13 centuries ago. Many a blind or paralized person was cured there.
The pilgrims used to bring water from the well in bottles and leave little gifts behind as offerings to God. The women would leave a little of their shawls or cloaks.
The well was surrounded by a wall at first but such crowds of people used to be waiting to get to the water that some P.P. got the wall removed

COLLECTOR
Mary A. O' Doherty, female
INFORMANT
Patsy Ansbro;  Gender; male, Age; 84, Tawnagh More, Co. Mayo