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
- 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
Ó Danachair (1955, 202) recorded the following details about this holy well; ‘Mary Magdalene's Well on 1840 map. In a grove of whitethorn bushes.
Full archaeological record 181 words
Ó Danachair (1955, 202) recorded the following details about this holy well; ‘Mary Magdalene's Well on 1840 map. In a grove of whitethorn bushes. A masonry cupola over the well has a niche for a life-size statue of the saint. Rounds still made, especially on the feast day (22nd July). Flowers and candles are left at the well'.
The following folklore was recorded from Monaleen National School about Mary Magdalene's Well; 'St. Mary Magdalen's is situated in Kilbane near the Groody. There is the remains of an old churchyard quite near it. Rounds are made there on 22nd July, the feast of Mary Magdalen. The legend connected with this well is that while some men were haymaking at the spot, they stuck their wooden forks into the ground and went away. When they returned they found the fork grown into a tree which still shelters the well. The water was supposed to cure ailments of the stomach' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0524, Page 127; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4922098/4852218/4947111).
Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of revised upload: 2 October 2020
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0). It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
Rounds still made, especially on the feast day (22nd July).
The following folklore was recorded from Monaleen National School about Mary Magdalene's Well; 'St. Mary Magdalen's is situated in Kilbane near the Groody.
Rounds are made there on 22nd July, the feast of Mary Magdalen.
The legend connected with this well is that while some men were haymaking at the spot, they stuck their wooden forks into the ground and went away.
The water was supposed to cure ailments of the stomach' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0524, Page 127; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4922098/4852218/4947111).
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St Bridget's Well
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St. Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Cartown · Limerick · 18 km away
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Around Mary Magdalene's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Rathurd CastleCastle · 2.7 km
- Castle TroyCastle · 2.9 km
- King John's CastleCastle · 4.0 km
- Bishops' Palace Limerick Civic TrustCastle · 4.0 km
- St Munchin's ChurchAncient church · 4.1 km
- Lickadoon CastleCastle · 5.6 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 28 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 20 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 16 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 abbeys & friariesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Lough Derg WayWalking Trail · 68.3 km · nearest point 2.0 km
- O'Briensbridge - Old Barge LoopWalking Trail · 11.6 km · nearest point 7.8 km
- O'Briensbridge - Errinagh BridgeWalking Trail · 7.5 km · nearest point 9.1 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Cratloe WoodForests · 14 km
- GlenstalForests · 14 km
- LimerickWalled towns · 3.5 km
- CaherconlishWalled towns · 9.6 km
Other attractions nearby
- Bourn Vincent GalleryAttraction · 2.2 km
- Treaty Walking ToursWalking · 3.2 km
- Shannon Estuary WayNatural Landscape · 3.7 km
- Tait's ClockHistoric Houses and Castle · 3.8 km
What's on nearby
- Mozart Illuminated2026-11-20 · 2.2 km
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- Christmas Magic2026-12-16 · 4.1 km
Excavations nearby
- 01E0030 Ballysimon 1, County LimerickRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 0.9 km
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