Folklore and traditions of County Laois

15 sites in County Laois with traditions recorded by the Archaeological Survey. County Laois guide.

Folklore on ErinSites is quoted from the Archaeological Survey of Ireland (or, when marked, from visitors). It records what people said or believed about a place; it is not presented as historical fact.

• Aghmacart Augustinian Priory Abbey or friary · Aghmacart, Co. Laois

  A monastery is said to have been foudned here in 550 (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 235).

• Dysart Round Tower Round tower · Dysart, Co. Laois

  Aonghas was a ninth century bishop who died c. 830 and was author of Féilire Aonghasa (Martyrology of Aonghas) which was reputedly started at his church in Dysart and finished in the monastery of Tallaght, Co. Dublin (Ó Riain 2011, 79).

• Durrow Church (site of) Ancient church · Durrow Townparks, Co. Laois

  According to Carrigan 'The foundations of what was traditionally known as 'Durrow Monastery' (LA029-042), remained till 1835, about 60 yards north-west of the churchyard of Durrow, between the base of the 'Castle Hill' and the small stone bridge crossing the…

• Killeshin Church Ancient church · Killeshin, Co. Laois

  A monastery in the territory of Uí Bhairrche was reputedly founded here by St Comghán before 500 AD (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 39).

• Kyle-aghra Ancient church · Baunaghra, Co. Laois

  A great battle is said to have been fought here, and cart-loads of human bones, the remains of the fallen, were discovered years ago, while the ramparts were being cut through to prepare the site for James Curran's dwellinghouse.

• Timogue Church Ancient church · Timogue, Co. Laois

  This church site was reputedly founded by St. Maodhóg or Mogue the patron of Ferns, Co. Wexford (O’Hanlon and O’Leary 1907, 338), although O’Byrne recorded in the 19th century that the church was associated with St. Mochua.

• Dunamase Castle Castle · Aghnahily,Ballycarroll (Maryborough East By.),Park Or Dunamase, Co. Laois

  This is believed to be the original courtyard level.

• Grange Castle Castle · Grange (Ballyadams By.), Co. Laois

  Described by Daniel O'Byrne 'Grange Castle, like that of Shrule, is of many years standing; and is said to have been built by a wife of one of the Hartpoles, who so much abhorred the curel acts of her husband, the she erected the castle and resided in it in…

• Saint Brigid's Well Holy well · Rosenallis, Co. Laois

  A holy well dedicated to St Bridget whose pattern was formerly held on 1st of February.

• St Brigid's Well Holy well · Ballintubbert, Co. Laois

  No evidence of any votive offerings in the vicinity of the well and no pattern is held at this well.

• St Fintan's Well Holy well · Clonenagh, Co. Laois

  In some cavities in the trunk, water is said to be at all times found, in which healing properties are ascribed (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 298).

• St Kieran's Well Holy well · Derryvorrigan, Co. Laois

  The well was dry at time of inspection with no evidence of any votive offerings in the fill of the well.

• St Longory's Well Holy well · Kilgory, Co. Laois

  A pattern day was formerly held here on 24th June (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 197).

• St Manman's Well Holy well · Kilmanman, Co. Laois

  The date of the pattern day was forgotten by the early nineteenth century (O'Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 71).

• St Patrick's Well Holy well · Kilfeacle, Co. Laois

  A subcircular area (D 0.5m, Wth 0.8m N-S x 1m E-W) enclosed by a modern stone wall at N, E and S with slab to knee on at entrance at W. According to local information it was thought that the water from it could heal only sight ailments.