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
- Well house
- 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
Fitzgerald (1915-7, 494) described, 'St. Bridget's Well on Mr. Lyon's farm (as) … now sadly neglected; it is unenclosed, and trodden around by cattle. Though a strong flow of water boils up in it, yet from its position by the side of a gripe, it would require a native of the locality to point it out.' Jackson (1979-80, 161) says the well was visited for toothache and earache cures and tokens were left at it.
Full archaeological record 140 words
Fitzgerald (1915-7, 494) described, 'St. Bridget's Well on Mr. Lyon's farm (as) … now sadly neglected; it is unenclosed, and trodden around by cattle. Though a strong flow of water boils up in it, yet from its position by the side of a gripe, it would require a native of the locality to point it out.' Jackson (1979-80, 161) says the well was visited for toothache and earache cures and tokens were left at it. It was said to have been formerly linked via St. Brigid's path to her church at Kill (KD019-008002-). However, the well was not associated with a pattern and is now covered by a pump house. Visible on a 2005 aerial photo (OSi Orthophoto) with a very large drainage channel leading NNE from the well-house. A holy tree (KD020-004001-) once stood nearby. (Herity 2002, 23 (65))
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Gearóid Conroy · Updated 10 June 2011. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
Though a strong flow of water boils up in it, yet from its position by the side of a gripe, it would require a native of the locality to point it out.' Jackson (1979-80, 161) says the well was visited for toothache and earache cures and tokens were left at it.
It was said to have been formerly linked via St. Brigid's path to her church at Kill (KD019-008002-).
More holy wells nearby
Lady Well
Ritual site - holy well · Whitechurch · Kildare · 5.8 km away
Bride's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Newtown Great · Kildare · 6.6 km away
St. Catherine's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Crockshane · Dublin · 7.1 km away
St. Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Rathcoole · Dublin · 8.4 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Cowanstown · Kildare · 13 km away
St. Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Brideswell Commons · Dublin · 15 km away
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Around St Bridget's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Furness ChurchAncient church · 2.4 km
- Kilteel CastleCastle · 3.3 km
- Kilteel CrossHigh cross · 3.3 km
- Kilteel ChurchAncient church · 3.5 km
- Oughter Ard TowerRound tower · 4.4 km
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Recorded within 5 km
- 10 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 hillfortArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 high crossArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 round towerArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Grand Canal WayLong Distance Waymarked Way · 123.9 km · nearest point 4.2 km
- Grand Canal GreenwayGreenway · 123.9 km · nearest point 4.2 km
- Slievethoul Lugg WalkWalking Trail · 6.9 km · nearest point 6.4 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Slievethoul and LuggForests · 7.4 km
- Pollardstown Fen Nature ReserveNature reserves · 19 km
- NaasWalled towns · 6.3 km
- Castletown Round HouseHistoric stays · 12 km
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Other attractions nearby
- Kilteel CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 3.3 km
- Hunting Brook GardenGardens · 6.2 km
- Punchestown Standing StoneAttraction · 6.4 km
- Naas Adventure SportsNature and Wildlife · 6.4 km
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Excavations nearby
- E1571 Kill Hill 3, County KildareRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 1.4 km
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