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
- Pattern day
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
In level marshy terrain. Set into N face of field boundary, travelling on WNW-ESE axis, is circular spring (diam. c. 0.5m; D c. 0.6m); stone facing, of small roughly-cut flags, only evident at SSW side of spring.
Full archaeological record 123 words
In level marshy terrain. Set into N face of field boundary, travelling on WNW-ESE axis, is circular spring (diam. c. 0.5m; D c. 0.6m); stone facing, of small roughly-cut flags, only evident at SSW side of spring. Ground immediately surrounding spring is waterlogged and heavily poached by cattle drinking from spring; a recently cut field drain runs c. 1m in front of spring on same axis as field boundary. No indication that well still used for religious purposes. According to Ó Danachair (1955, 205) rounds still mad here in mid-1950s and 'a pattern and fair was held on 11th February until about 1870'; he also notes legends that 'Saint Gobnait lived here', and that 'a white stag is sometimes seen at the well'.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Denis Power · Updated 26 August 2011. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
According to Ó Danachair (1955, 205) rounds still mad here in mid-1950s and 'a pattern and fair was held on 11th February until about 1870'; he also notes legends that 'Saint Gobnait lived here', and that 'a white stag is sometimes seen at the well'.
More holy wells nearby
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Castletown (Connello Upper By.) · Limerick · 2.1 km away
Our Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Newtown South · Cork · 7.1 km away
Toberbreedia
Ritual site - holy well · Cloonpasteen · Limerick · 9.9 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Cloncagh · Limerick · 10 km away
St. Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Kilbreedy (Coshma By., Bruree Ed) · Limerick · 12 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Castleharrison · Cork · 13 km away
Visitors' notes
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Around Saint Derivla's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Kilbolane CastleCastle · 8.6 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 65 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 standing stoneArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 ancient churchArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Knockfierna Famine Memorial LoopWalking Trail · 3.0 km · nearest point 7.4 km
- Knockfierna Heritage LoopWalking Trail · 5.3 km · nearest point 7.7 km
- Kilmallock Cycle Hub Loop 3Road Cycling Trail · 61.5 km · nearest point 11 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- CroomWalled towns · 13 km
- KilmallockWalled towns · 15 km
- GlenlohaneHistoric stays · 25 km
Other attractions nearby
- Kilbolane CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 8.7 km

