Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
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
Reference to St. Abban's Well (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 2, 580). Situated in undulating countryside.
Full archaeological record 122 words
Reference to St. Abban's Well (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 2, 580). Situated in undulating countryside. No visible surface remains.
Described in the History of the Queens County as' Mass used to be said during the penal era under a holly bush in one of the fields of Old leagh. The place lies to the S.W. of Arles at a distance of about a mile. The situation is extremely picturesque. A small river wends its way through a deep ravine, and serves as an outlet for the overflow waters of the well of St. Abban, the patron saint of Kilabban, the more ancient name of Arles. It was an ideal spot for a Mass-station (LA032-005002-)' (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 2, 580).
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 17 December 2007 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Laois. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
More holy wells nearby
St Patrick's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Kilfeacle · Laois · 5.7 km away
Saint Fiac's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Knockbeg · Laois · 6.6 km away
St Longory's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Kilgory · Laois · 9.3 km away
Church Well
Ritual site - holy well · Aughatubbrid Or Chatsworth · Kilkenny · 11 km away
St Brigid's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballintubbert · Laois · 11 km away
St Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Tomard Lower (3 Detached Portions) · Carlow · 14 km away
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Around St Abban's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Killeshin ChurchAncient church · 5.0 km
- Killeshin round towerRound tower · 5.0 km
- BoleyHillfort · 5.6 km
- Grange CastleCastle · 5.6 km
- Shrule CastleCastle · 5.8 km
- Sleaty ChurchAncient church · 6.7 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 4 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 abbeys & friariesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Oak Park LoopWalking Trail · 3.7 km · nearest point 8.2 km
- Clogrennane Wood LoopWalking Trail · 2.4 km · nearest point 9.6 km
- Mullaghreelan Wood - O'Tuathaill walkWalking Trail · 2.0 km · nearest point 11 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- ClogrennanForests · 11 km
- Mullaghreelan WoodForests · 11 km
- Timahoe Esker Nature ReserveNature reserves · 15 km
- CarlowWalled towns · 8.7 km
- AthyWalled towns · 12 km
Other attractions nearby
- Killeshin Romanesque DoorwayHistoric Houses and Castle · 5.1 km
- Croppies GraveAttraction · 8.1 km
- County Carlow Military MuseumMuseums and Attraction · 8.3 km
- Carlow CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 8.5 km
What's on nearby
- Derek Ryan - Songwriter Show2026-11-08 · 8.7 km
- Autumn / Winter Cinemas at VISUAL2026-12-22 · 8.7 km