Bishop to say anniversary Mass at Fr Moore's Well

Fr. Moore's Well, situated on the Milltown to Kildare Road at Rathbride marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Fr. John Moore.

To celebrate this special occasion, Bishop Denis Nulty will concelebrate Mass at the well on 16 August at 3.00 pm. Parking will be available on the day.

All are welcome.

Fr. Moore was born in 1779 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1800. He had a remarkable gift for effecting cures for various ailments and, before his untimely death in 1826, he blessed a little well at Rathbride so that those who prayed there might be helped.

To this very day, people visit the well—a place of spiritual serenity—and report receiving great favours, while also recognising it as a source of help and comfort.

Heritage Week 2026 has the theme "Heritage at Risk", and sadly that is the situation facing Fr. Moore's Well. The well requires a great deal of work, including tarmacadamising the pathway to the well, repairs around the well, new gates, painting, and landscaping. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help raise funds.

The committee would love to undertake these works, which would preserve part of the history of the area and a place where faith, serenity, and hope walk hand in hand.

Before he died in 1826, Fr. Moore entrusted his hat to the Forde family, who lived across the road from him.

The hat has been passed down through the Forde family, with Michael and Anne Forde being its present custodians.

This remarkable couple make the hat available to people at their home in Westmeath. Documentaries have been made about the hat and the Forde family.

Fr. Moore's Well and hat have featured in many articles, including the County Kildare Archaeological Journal of 1918.

In 1970, the late Michael Ryan of RTÉ produced a documentary for Nationwide (which can be found by searching online).

The late Manchán Magan also spent time at the well and made a documentary in Irish about the well and the hat.

The committee would love to record stories of healing or experiences that people have had at the well or with the hat.

These can be dropped into the Heritage Centre at Milltown or posted to the Well Committee, c/o the Heritage Centre, Milltown, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.