2026 marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Fr. John Moore.

Fr. Moore was born in 1779 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1803.

He had a remarkable gift for effecting cures for various ailments and, before his untimely death in 1826, he blessed what would become Fr. Moore’s Well in Rathbride, Co. Kildare in order that those who prayed there might also be helped.

To this very day, people visit Fr. Moore’s Well – a place of spiritual serenity - and report getting 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 story for Fr. Moore’s Well, which needs a lot of work, including repairs, new gates, a new road surface and landscaping. The committee would also like to create a pathway to the ruins of Fr. Moore’s House and restore the pilgrimage way – creating a fitting legacy for Fr. Moore.

We would love to undertake these works to preserve this vital part of our history, continuing to provide a place where faith, serenity and hope walk hand in hand.

Before he died. Fr. Moore entrusted his beloved hat to the Forde family who lived across the road from him and this hat has been used down through the years to help people, especially those with ailments of the head. The hat has been passed down through the Forde family and Michael and Anne are the present custodians. This remarkable couple make the hat available to people at their home in Westmeath.

Fr. Moore's Well and The Hat have featured in many articles including The County Kildare Archaeological Journal of 1918, and documentaries on RTE Nationwide and recently on TG4. If you have a story or healing experience you’d like to share with us about Fr. Moore, the well or his hat, we’d love to hear from you on the day of the mass.

There will be a Mass at Fr. Moore’s Well on Sunday, August 16th, 2026, concelebrated by Bishop Denis Nulty – and all are welcome to attend. Weather permitting, we hope to have Fr. Moore's Hat with us on the day.