No photo yet - add one
Ritual site - holy well

Lady Well

Holy well in Stephenstown, County Dublin, Ireland.

  • AccessNot confirmed
  • National MonumentNot recorded
  • DateNot stated
  • Folklore2 quotes
  • PhotoWanted
Stephenstown, Co. Dublin53.59760, -6.19771
Directions Map

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
Advertisement

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.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
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).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact

More holy wells nearby

Advertisement

Visitors' notes

Badges are opinions of visitors - not verified facts. One vote per badge and visitor; no account needed.

Best time to visit

What's missing on this page?

      Share a tip to find it

      Share a local tradition or story

      Suggest a correction

      Suggest the right map location

      Stand at the site and use your location, or type the coordinates.

      Report a duplicate page

      Ask a question

      Do not include personal data. See our privacy notice.

      Around Lady Well

      Other heritage nearby

      Recorded within 5 km

      Outdoors, towns and places to stay

      Other attractions nearby

      What's on nearby

      Excavations nearby

      My places: 0