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 mentioned19th century
- Recorded sizeint. diameter 1.2m; D 5.2m
What to look for
- Stone surround
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 the NE quadrant of the graveyard. This is traditionally known as St. Ailbe's well.
Full archaeological record 135 words
In the NE quadrant of the graveyard. This is traditionally known as St. Ailbe's well. The circular well is now covered in mass concrete, 0.4m above the ground and 1.92m in diameter. There is a square aperture in the concrete, 0.28m wide, which gives very limited access to the well water. Originally the well was a circular well (int. diam. 1.2m; D 5.2m) with dry stone walling on top of which was placed a cut stone limestone surround of 19th century date. According to the OS Letters(O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 3, 40) the stone shaft of the wall is c. 7m deep. Traditionally this holy well was visited on the feast day of St. Ailbe, the 12th of September. In 1898 the well was still being used to supply the village with water (Long 1898, 173-4).
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Jean Farrelly · Updated 12 May 2014. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
This is traditionally known as St. Ailbe's well.
Traditionally this holy well was visited on the feast day of St. Ailbe, the 12th of September.
More holy wells nearby
Tobergobinet
Ritual site - holy well · Bohercarron · Limerick · 3.2 km away
St Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Kilfrush · Limerick · 4.9 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Lattin West · Tipperary · 5.0 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Rathduff (Cullen Par.) · Tipperary · 7.5 km away
St. Patrick's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Rathduff (Cullen Par.) · Tipperary · 7.6 km away
St Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballinlough · Limerick · 7.7 km away
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Around St. Ailbe's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Hospital ChurchAbbey or friary · 5.7 km
- DuntryleagueMegalithic tomb · 6.5 km
- RathardCastle · 6.8 km
- MoorabbeyAbbey or friary · 8.3 km
- DunglaraHillfort · 8.9 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 34 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 9 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 high crossArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Knockcarron - Lakelly LoopWalking Trail · 3.4 km · nearest point 2.5 km
- Knockcarron - Golden Mile LoopWalking Trail · 2.6 km · nearest point 3.0 km
- Darby's Bed LoopWalking Trail · 4.9 km · nearest point 6.3 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Gortavoher / Glen of AherlowForests · 12 km
- EmlyWalled towns · 0.1 km
- TipperaryWalled towns · 13 km
Other attractions nearby
- St John’s Church KnockaineyHistoric Houses and Castle · 8.0 km
- Moor AbbeyHistoric Houses and Castle · 8.3 km

