St. Declan's Well

Our great name originated in Ardmore, Waterford County, Ireland. Although many believe St. Patrick to be the first catholic to convert the masses in Ireland, history shows that St. Declan preceded Saint Patrick inc bringing Christianity to Ireland by a quarter of a century. St. Declan was the bishop of Ardmore in Waterford in the early 5th century after being sent there from Rome to convert the masses. Early followers of St. Patrick downplayed Declan’s role in early conversion to gain power through Patrick’s newly formed dioceses. Recently, however historians state that Declan’s conversion of slaves, sailors and travelers as well as the Déisi (then the ruling class) opened up an easier path to the conversion of Northern and Western Ireland. Many miracles are ascribed to Declan- every year on his feast-day, July 24, locals and people from the region celebrate his path. The path walked by Declan from Ardmore to Cashel, County Tipperary has been restored as St Declan’s Pilgrim Path. An annual walk of the path, nicknamed the "Irish Camino” occurs every year. A round tower still stands at the site of the Saint Declan’s monastery at Ardmore as well as earlier ruins, such as a stone oratory and a small stone church. His diocese of Ardmore and its Episcopal church lasted until the 13th century. "If thou hast a right, O Erin, to a champion of battle to aid thee, thou hast the head of a hundred thousand, Declan of Ardmore."