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At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
- Date or period mentioned1430
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
At a bend in a small stream valley, the stream flows into the River Nore c. 600m to the NE. It is located c. 220m NW of a church (KK014-056001-) and graveyard (KK014-056002-). According to the OS Letters (1839) this holy well was called, 'Tobar a Chroinn, i.e., the Well of the Tree from a large ash that grows over it.
Full archaeological record 117 words
At a bend in a small stream valley, the stream flows into the River Nore c. 600m to the NE. It is located c. 220m NW of a church (KK014-056001-) and graveyard (KK014-056002-). According to the OS Letters (1839) this holy well was called, 'Tobar a Chroinn, i.e., the Well of the Tree from a large ash that grows over it. Stations were performed here long ago but they are now neglected' (O'Flanagan (ed.) 1930, vol. 2, 78 (26)). Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 196) mentions that, 'its ancient name as appears from a document [dated 1430-31]...was Tiobar Breannain, or St. Brendan's Well'. There is no visible trace of the well at ground level.
Visited by: Jean Farrelly
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 8 June 2020. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
Stations were performed here long ago but they are now neglected' (O'Flanagan (ed.) 1930, vol. 2, 78 (26)).
More holy wells nearby
Kenny's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Gardens (Kilkenny City By., St. Canice Par.) · Kilkenny · 4.5 km away
St Rioch's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Jamesgreen · Kilkenny · 5.0 km away
Holy Trinity Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballycannon · Kilkenny · 5.8 km away
St Paul's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Connahy · Kilkenny · 7.9 km away
St. Catherine's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Rathbeagh · Kilkenny · 8.0 km away
St. Martin's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Templemartin (Gowran By., Clara Ed) · Kilkenny · 8.0 km away
Also recorded nearby
Named sites within 5 km with only a short entry in the Archaeological Survey.
- St. Francis's WellRitual site - holy well · Gardens (Kilkenny City By., St. Mary’S Par.) · 4.5 km · official record
- Angel's WellRitual site - holy well · Gardens (Kilkenny City By., St. Canice Par.) · 4.6 km · official record
- Mary's WellRitual site - holy well · Gardens (Kilkenny City By., St. Mary’S Par.) · 5.0 km · official record
Visitors' notes
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Around St. Brendan's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Keatingstown CastleCastle · 0.2 km
- Ardaloo CastleCastle · 2.4 km
- Black CastleCastle · 2.4 km
- Bonnetstown CastleCastle · 2.6 km
- Threecastles MotteCastle · 3.2 km
- Threecastles ChurchAncient church · 3.4 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 19 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 15 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 10 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 abbeys & friariesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 round towerArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 promontory fortArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- North Kilkenny Cycle LoopRoad Cycling Trail · 24.0 km · nearest point 2.7 km
- North Kilkenny Cycle RouteRoad Cycling Trail · 80.5 km · nearest point 3.5 km
- Jenkinstown Wood - Jenkinstown Wood LoopWalking Trail · 3.4 km · nearest point 4.1 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- JenkinstownForests · 4.6 km
- Coill an FhaltaighForests · 7.4 km
- Ballykeefe Nature ReserveNature reserves · 11 km
- KilkennyWalled towns · 5.0 km
- Clomanatagh CastleHistoric stays · 14 km
Other attractions nearby
- Newpark Fen and Eco-ParkNature and Wildlife · 4.2 km
- Kilkenny Revolutionary Walking TourWalking · 4.3 km
- Kilkenny ToursWalking · 4.4 km
- Mayfair Library Kilkenny CityAttraction · 4.5 km
What's on nearby
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- Kilkenomics2026-11-06 · 4.9 km
- Kilkenomics2026-11-07 · 4.9 km