Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
- Recorded sizedims 1.7m x 1.3m
What to look for
- Rag tree
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
Situated on a fairly level landscape, with the small NNE-SSW Yellow River c. 40m to the W. A well is marked on the 1836 and eds of the OS 6-inch map and described in gothic lettering as St. Anne’s Well on both. Kelly (1973, 8, 10) suggests that the well could be a pre-Christian dedication to Anu, the mother of the Irish gods, which was altered to Anne in Christian times.
Full archaeological record 115 words
Situated on a fairly level landscape, with the small NNE-SSW Yellow River c. 40m to the W. A well is marked on the 1836 and eds of the OS 6-inch map and described in gothic lettering as St. Anne’s Well on both. Kelly (1973, 8, 10) suggests that the well could be a pre-Christian dedication to Anu, the mother of the Irish gods, which was altered to Anne in Christian times. The well is an oval hollow (dims 1.7m x 1.3m) lined with large stones. A rag tree with some old cloths attached to it was present at the well in 1973, while a trench excavated near the well produced a blue glass bead (ibid.).
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Michael Moore · Updated 30 March 2023. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
A rag tree with some old cloths attached to it was present at the well in 1973, while a trench excavated near the well produced a blue glass bead (ibid.).
More holy wells nearby
Lady Well
Ritual site - holy well · Slanecastle Demesne · Meath · 12 km away
Saint Patrick's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Slanecastle Demesne · Meath · 13 km away
St Dympna's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Kildalkey · Meath · 17 km away
Saint Bernard's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Dowth · Meath · 19 km away
Lady Well
Ritual site - holy well · Killeen · Meath · 19 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Rathfeigh · Meath · 19 km away
Visitors' notes
Badges are opinions of visitors - not verified facts. One vote per badge and visitor; no account needed.
Best time to visit
What's missing on this page?
Share a tip to find it
Share a local tradition or story
Suggest a correction
Suggest the right map location
Report a duplicate page
Ask a question
Do not include personal data. See our privacy notice.
Around St. Anne's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Donaghmore Round TowerRound tower · 4.7 km
- Donaghmore ChurchAncient church · 4.7 km
- Athlumney ChurchAncient church · 5.2 km
- Athlumney CastleCastle · 5.3 km
- Athlumney MotteCastle · 5.3 km
- Dunmoe CastleCastle · 6.2 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 14 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 10 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 round towerArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 high crossArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Meath Heritage Trail Cycle RouteRoad Cycling Trail · 49.4 km · nearest point 11 km
- Boyne Blueway - Trim to BectivePaddling Trail · 8.5 km · nearest point 12 km
- Drewstown Woods - Girley Bog walkWalking Trail · 5.2 km · nearest point 13 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- LittlewoodForests · 14 km
- Girley BogForests · 14 km
- NavanWalled towns · 4.7 km
- KellsWalled towns · 11 km
- Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO · 18 km
- Collon HouseHistoric stays · 19 km
Other attractions nearby
- Donaghpatrick ChurchAbbeys and Monastery · 2.4 km
- Donaghmore Round TowerHistoric Houses and Castle · 4.7 km
- Dunmoe CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 6.1 km
- Ardmulchan ChurchHistoric Houses and Castle · 6.7 km
What's on nearby
- Samhain Festival of Food & Culture2026-11-05 · 10 km
- Raw & Natural: Exploring Irish Raw Milk Cheeses and Natural Wines2026-11-06 · 9.4 km
- Samhain Festival of Food & Culture2026-11-06 · 10 km
Excavations nearby
- E3119 Ardbraccan 5, County MeathRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 3.1 km
- E3120 Ardbraccan 6, County MeathRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 3.3 km

