Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
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
St. Canice's Well, also known as Kenny's Well, was situated 180m SW of Aghaboe Abbey (LA022-019001-) in the Pigeon park a little to the rear of Bolger's house (Carrigan 1905, vol 2, 47). It is now infilled almost 100 years ago (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 47).
Full archaeological record 135 words
St. Canice's Well, also known as Kenny's Well, was situated 180m SW of Aghaboe Abbey (LA022-019001-) in the Pigeon park a little to the rear of Bolger's house (Carrigan 1905, vol 2, 47). It is now infilled almost 100 years ago (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 47). No visible surface remains. Described in 1796 by Ledwich in his Statistical Account of Aghaboe that 'I have constantly seen, while resident in Aghaboe, pedlars lay down their packs, and with others come to St. Canice's well, which was in my Orchard, and their perform their devotions' (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 47). About 1820 a drain was run from the Pond, into the stream passing by the adjacent schoolhouse, and the hollow being then filled up, every trace of Kenny's holy well was obliterated (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 47).
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Caimin O'Brien · Updated 17 December 2007. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
More holy wells nearby
St Kieran's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Derryvorrigan · Laois · 5.8 km away

Saint Fintan's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Cromoge · Laois · 7.8 km away
St Patrick's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Donaghmore · Laois · 7.8 km away
St Fintan's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Clonenagh · Laois · 12 km away
St John's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Toberboe Or Killenny More · Laois · 12 km away

Our Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Castlemarket · Kilkenny · 15 km away
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Around St. Canice's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Aghaboe PrioryAbbey or friary · 0.1 km
- Aghaboe ChurchAncient church · 0.2 km
- Aghaboe MotteCastle · 0.3 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 11 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 8 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 holy wellArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Granstown Wood and Lake Nature Reserve Lake TrailWalking Trail · 2.2 km · nearest point 5.4 km
- Granstown Wood and Lake Nature Reserve Woodland TrailWalking Trail · 2.2 km · nearest point 5.4 km
- Durrow Leafy Long LoopWalking Trail · 20.1 km · nearest point 10 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Dunmore WoodForests · 11 km
- CapponellanForests · 11 km
- Grantstown Wood and Grantstown Lough Nature ReserveNature reserves · 5.7 km
- Coolacurragh Wood Nature ReserveNature reserves · 6.4 km
- Roundwood HouseHistoric stays · 12 km
- Clomanatagh CastleHistoric stays · 22 km
Other attractions nearby
- Midland EscapeWalking · 6.3 km
- Fruitlawn GardenGardens · 7.8 km
- Donaghmore Famine Workhouse MuseumHistoric Houses and Castle · 8.2 km
- Clonohill GardensGardens · 10 km
What's on nearby
- Pa Sheehy – The Magic We Found Tour2026-11-13 · 19 km
- Dirty DC – AC/DC Tribute2026-11-20 · 19 km
- Briana Corrigan2026-12-09 · 19 km
Excavations nearby
- E2240 Friarsland 2, County LaoisRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 1.0 km
- E2238 Boherard 1, County LaoisRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 1.1 km

