WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



THE LEGEND OF KNOCK- A-TH AMPLE. 



IN the valley of Knock-a-thample, beside a ruined 

 church and holy well, the shattered walls of what had 

 been once a human habitation are still visible. They 

 stand at a bow-shot distance from the fountain, which, 

 instead of a place of penance for ancient crones and 

 solitary devotees, was visited two centuries since for a 

 very different purpose. 



The well, although patronised by St. Catharine, a 

 lady of as determined celibacy as ever underwent 

 canonisation, had one peculiar virtue, which, under her 

 especial superintendence, it might not have been expected 

 to possess. Indeed, in every-day complaints, its waters 

 were tolerably efficacious ; but, in cases of connubial 

 disappointments, when the nuptial bed had been 

 unfruitful, they proved an absolute specific ; and in 

 providing an heir for an estate, when " hope deferred 

 had made the heart sick," there was not in the kingdom 

 of Connaught a blessed well that could hold a candle 

 to that of Knock-a-thample. 



Numerous as the persons were whom the reputation 

 of the fountain collected from a distance, few returned 

 without experiencing relief. Occasionally, a patient 

 appeared, whose virgin career had been a little too 

 protracted, and to whom the rosary, rather than the 

 cradle, was adapted. And so thought St. Catharine 

 though her water was unequalled, yet she had neither 

 time nor inclination to work miracles eternally ; con- 

 sequently, those ancient candidates for the honours 



