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Ritual site - holy well

Bride's Well

Holy well in Ardnurcher, County Westmeath, Ireland.

  • AccessNot confirmed
  • National MonumentNot recorded
  • DateNot stated
  • FolkloreNone recorded
  • PhotoWanted
Ardnurcher, Co. Westmeath53.39941, -7.59199
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Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer

At a glance

  • TypeRitual site - holy well

Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.

Can you visit?

  • No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
  • Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
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History and description

Situated on flat poorly drained land, there are no surface remains visible of filled-in holy well dedicated to St. Bridget and marked on all editions of the OS 6-inch maps as 'Brides Well'. Holy well located 40m N of a stream and 680m WNW of St. David's Church, Ardnurcher.

Full archaeological record 214 words

Situated on flat poorly drained land, there are no surface remains visible of filled-in holy well dedicated to St. Bridget and marked on all editions of the OS 6-inch maps as 'Brides Well'. Holy well located 40m N of a stream and 680m WNW of St. David's Church, Ardnurcher. In 1422 the Annals of Connacht recorded the following event which occurred at St. Bridget's Holy Well. In this year the Annals recorded that 'The sons of O Mailsechlainn made an attack on Ardnurcher (WM031-104----). Mag Eochacan was in the castle (WM031-099----) with a few men at that time, having with him also Cosnamach Oc [Óg] Mac Aedacain, law-ollav of the Cenel Fiachach and the Ui Failgi. The brehon mounted his horse and rode after them, thinking them to be the sons of Muirchertach Oc [Óg] Mac Eochacain, who were in rebellion against Mac Eochacain at the time, he himself having come [to the castle] to make settlement between the parties. He followed the band westwards out of the town to Topar Brigte [St. Brigid's Well]. Here the sons of O Mailsechlainn were waiting and at the noise of the rider they discharged the arrows which were ready in their bows and Cosnamach Oc [Óg] was killed without delays by an arrow-shot' (Ann. Conn., 461).

Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Caimin O'Brien · Updated 13 August 2014. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.

Folklore and traditions

More holy wells nearby

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      Around Bride's Well

      Other heritage nearby

      Recorded within 5 km

      Walks and trails

      • Westmeath WayLong Distance Waymarked Way · 28.4 km · nearest point 6.8 km
      • Clara Esker Ballinough Doorey LoopWalking Trail · 5.5 km · nearest point 8.2 km
      • Clara Esker Forest Loop WalkWalking Trail · 1.9 km · nearest point 8.2 km

      Outdoors, towns and places to stay

      • Durrow AbbeyForests · 9.8 km
      • Lilliput, Lough EnnellBeaches · 12 km · Good Quality (2025)
      • Clara Bog Nature ReserveNature reserves · 8.9 km
      • Raheenmore Bog Nature ReserveNature reserves · 18 km

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