Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
What to look for
- Stone surround
- Rag tree
- Offerings left
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
History and description
Natural spring well in a waterlogged area at the foot of an ash tree with castle (DU005-004----) 50m to S. Lady Well described in 1958 as a 'small well lined with stones with a slow spring of clear water among the roots of an old ash tree. The well was visited and prayers said there during living memory; the water was applied to sore eyes and was drunk for the relief of toothache headache.
Full archaeological record 148 words
Natural spring well in a waterlogged area at the foot of an ash tree with castle (DU005-004----) 50m to S. Lady Well described in 1958 as a 'small well lined with stones with a slow spring of clear water among the roots of an old ash tree. The well was visited and prayers said there during living memory; the water was applied to sore eyes and was drunk for the relief of toothache headache. Rags were hung on the tree as offerings. Known locally as 'Lady Well' ' (Ó Danachair 1958, 2, 72). Holy well described by Henry A. Wheeler in 1973 as a 'muddy pool at foot of large ash-tree. Described to me by local informant as having rags tied on to the bush or tree, but I did not see any' (SMR File 21/03/1973; 18/07/1974). Could also be referred to as Graham's well (Skyvova, 2005, 65)
References
- Date of revised upload: 11 April 2023
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Geraldine Stout. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
Rags were hung on the tree as offerings.
Described to me by local informant as having rags tied on to the bush or tree, but I did not see any' (SMR File 21/03/1973; 18/07/1974).
More holy wells nearby
Lady Well
Ritual site - holy well · Flemingtown · Dublin · 2.2 km away
St. Mary's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Tobertown · Dublin · 3.4 km away
Lady Well
Ritual site - holy well · Balcunnin · Dublin · 5.3 km away
Lady Well
Ritual site - holy well · Naul · Dublin · 6.0 km away
St. Catherine's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Staffordstown · Dublin · 9.3 km away
Bridetree Well
Ritual site - holy well · Bridetree · Dublin · 9.4 km away
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Around Lady Well
Other heritage nearby
- Balrothery TowerAncient church · 1.3 km
- Tobertown ChurchAncient church · 3.4 km
- Hollywood Great ChurchAncient church · 6.2 km
- Townparks ChurchAncient church · 6.6 km
- Baldongan ChurchAncient church · 6.7 km
- Lusk Round TowerRound tower · 8.2 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 8 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 standing stoneArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Balbriggan, Front Strand BeachBeaches · 2.0 km · Sufficient Quality (2025)
- Gormanston BeachBeaches · 4.9 km
- Rogerstown Estuary Nature ReserveNature reserves · 11 km
- Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO · 21 km
Other attractions nearby
- Balbriggan BeachNature and Wildlife · 1.9 km
- Barnageara BeachNature and Wildlife · 3.5 km
- St Patrick’s Way and Art Trail SkerriesWalking · 6.2 km
- Skerries South BeachNature and Wildlife · 6.4 km
What's on nearby
- ON ICE Swords2026-11-05 · 16 km
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Excavations nearby
- 02E053 Site 24 Nevitt, County DublinRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 4.5 km
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