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Ritual site - holy well

St. Bridget's Well

Holy well in Tully East, County Kildare, Ireland.

  • AccessNot confirmed
  • National MonumentNot recorded
  • DateNot stated
  • Folklore1 quote
  • PhotoWanted
Tully East, Co. Kildare53.14393, -6.90233
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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

  • Stone surround
  • Offerings left

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
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History and description

Situated 145m SSW of Tully House and 150m SSE of Tully graveyard (KD022-034001-) containing the Preceptory of the Knights Hospitallers (KD022-034----). In 1837 Thomas O'Conor of the Ordnance Survey recorded that 'St Brigid's Well lies in the west of the same townland and near Tully House, the residence of Mr. Pottinger' (O'Flanagan 1927, 62).

Full archaeological record 194 words

Situated 145m SSW of Tully House and 150m SSE of Tully graveyard (KD022-034001-) containing the Preceptory of the Knights Hospitallers (KD022-034----). In 1837 Thomas O'Conor of the Ordnance Survey recorded that 'St Brigid's Well lies in the west of the same townland and near Tully House, the residence of Mr. Pottinger' (O'Flanagan 1927, 62). In 1903 the site was described as a 'well or basin built of cut stone the work of the Board of Works, which by some people is called St. Brigid's Well; but this is an error, as the real St. Brigid's Well (KD027-010001-) is situated, in a neglected state on a bit of commons called "The Grallach" (i.e., a miry place) in the townland of Brallistown' (Fitzgerald 1903-5, 130). According to Jackson (1979-80, 157) the stone surround of the well was built during the 1840s as a source of local employment.

Associated with St. Brigid and still venerated, this small circular well (diam. 1.3m) now a pool of stagnant water is enclosed by a low stone wall accessed from a modern paved area. Ribbons and other votive offerings have been tied to the branches of a tree overhanging the well.

References

  • Date of revised upload: 26 March 2018

Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Gearóid Conroy. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.

Folklore and traditions

Ribbons and other votive offerings have been tied to the branches of a tree overhanging the well.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact

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      Around St. Bridget's Well

      Other heritage nearby

      Recorded within 5 km

      Walks and trails

      • Moore Abbey Woods - Gerard Manly Hopkins WayWalking Trail · 2.6 km · nearest point 9.8 km
      • Moore Abbey Woods - Count John McCormack WayWalking Trail · 3.5 km · nearest point 9.8 km
      • Moore Abbey Woods - Bluebell WayWalking Trail · 2.2 km · nearest point 9.9 km

      Outdoors, towns and places to stay

      • Moore AbbeyForests · 9.9 km
      • Pollardstown Fen Nature ReserveNature reserves · 6.2 km
      • KildareWalled towns · 1.6 km
      • CalverstownWalled towns · 9.7 km
      • Martinstown HouseHistoric stays · 6.7 km

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