Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
- Date or period mentioned1706
What to look for
- Bullaun stone
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
Located on a slight rise of natural rock outcrop in an area of undulating countryside with good views. Disused dried up holy well (1.55m x 0.65m) known locally as St Anthony's Well with stone built cover made up of a large overlapping slabs similar to a corbelled roof (H 1.05m) with entrance (Wth 0.6m) facing S towards the mass-rock.
Full archaeological record 112 words
Located on a slight rise of natural rock outcrop in an area of undulating countryside with good views. Disused dried up holy well (1.55m x 0.65m) known locally as St Anthony's Well with stone built cover made up of a large overlapping slabs similar to a corbelled roof (H 1.05m) with entrance (Wth 0.6m) facing S towards the mass-rock. Mass rock (OF016-027001-) located beside the well which has several initials, an IHS and a date of 1706 carved on its surface (Davies 1942). Bullaun stone (OF016-027002-) located approx. 5m to the S of the holy well, according to local information this bullaun stone came from Rahan monastery (OF016-015001-) (Pers. Comm. Darryl Hooper).
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 23 May 2011 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
More holy wells nearby
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Ritual site - holy well · Rathlihen · Offaly · 8.4 km away
Saint Manchan's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Lemanaghan · Offaly · 10 km away
Toberneeva
Ritual site - holy well · Castlearmstrong · Offaly · 11 km away
St Manman's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Kilmanman · Laois · 12 km away
St Finian's Wells
Ritual site - holy well · Reary More · Laois · 14 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Toberleheen · Offaly · 15 km away
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Around Saint Anthony's Well
Other heritage nearby
- St Carthach's ChurchAncient church · 2.1 km
- Lynally early monastic siteMonastic site · 2.5 km
- Durrow AbbeyAbbey or friary · 8.4 km
- Durrow high crossHigh cross · 8.4 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 13 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 8 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Clara Esker Ballinough Doorey LoopWalking Trail · 5.5 km · nearest point 5.3 km
- Clara Esker Forest Loop WalkWalking Trail · 1.9 km · nearest point 6.4 km
- Lough Boora - Finnamore Lakes RouteWalking Trail · 8.7 km · nearest point 6.7 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Durrow AbbeyForests · 7.2 km
- BrittasForests · 13 km
- Clara Bog Nature ReserveNature reserves · 6.8 km
- Raheenmore Bog Nature ReserveNature reserves · 19 km
Other attractions nearby
- Lemanaghan Monastic SiteHistoric Houses and Castle · 11 km
- Mick The Miller MonumentAttraction · 11 km
What's on nearby
- Apitherapy Seminar - Bee Products for Health & Wellbeing2026-11-14 · 6.7 km