Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
- Condition (as surveyed)Gone: no visible trace
What to look for
- 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
A well is marked on the 1839 and 1925 eds of the OS 6-inch map which is described in gothic lettering on both as St. Catherine’s Well. It is located on a level landscape with a small NE-SW stream just to the E. It is not visible at ground level in an area that is overgrown in places with scrub.
Full archaeological record 96 words
A well is marked on the 1839 and 1925 eds of the OS 6-inch map which is described in gothic lettering on both as St. Catherine’s Well. It is located on a level landscape with a small NE-SW stream just to the E. It is not visible at ground level in an area that is overgrown in places with scrub. According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was celebrated on 21 October, which is not associated with any particular saint, but the pattern was not being observed even then (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 268).
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Michael Moore · Updated ; 21 March, 2014. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was celebrated on 21 October, which is not associated with any particular saint, but the pattern was not being observed even then (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 268).
More holy wells nearby
St Man's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballyboy (Forth By.) · Wexford · 1.8 km away
St Catherine's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Allenstown Big · Wexford · 3.2 km away
St Anne's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Tomhaggard · Wexford · 4.2 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Eardownes Great · Wexford · 4.2 km away
St Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Trimmer · Wexford · 4.5 km away
St Mary's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Grahormack · Wexford · 5.6 km away
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Around St Catherine's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Sigginstown CastleCastle · 0.7 km
- St Ibar's Church, Our Lady's IslandAncient church · 3.7 km
- Ballyhealy CastleCastle · 6.6 km
- Rathmacknee CastleCastle · 8.3 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 53 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 13 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 9 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 8 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 ogham stoneArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Wexford Section of Eurovelo 1Road Cycling Trail · nearest point 0.4 km
- Carne Carnsore Point TrailWalking Trail · 6.9 km · nearest point 5.0 km
- Carne Churchtown TrailWalking Trail · 4.7 km · nearest point 5.0 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Shelmaliere / Forth MountainForests · 14 km
- CarneBeaches · 6.0 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- BallyhealyBeaches · 6.2 km
- Ballyteigue Burrow Nature ReserveNature reserves · 15 km
- Ballyteigue Burrow Nature ReserveNature reserves · 15 km
Other attractions nearby
- Sigginstown CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 0.7 km
- Tacumshane WindmillMuseums and Attraction · 1.1 km
- Our Lady's Island MonasteryHistoric Houses and Castle · 3.8 km
- CarneBeach · 5.9 km
What's on nearby
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