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
Covered site of St. Catherine's Well located on the main walk through Griffith Park, c. 70m N of the footbridge across the Tolka. This well was formerly within an enclosed yard of a house at Millbourne Avenue.
Full archaeological record 215 words
Covered site of St. Catherine's Well located on the main walk through Griffith Park, c. 70m N of the footbridge across the Tolka. This well was formerly within an enclosed yard of a house at Millbourne Avenue. It was a natural spring under the kitchen floor and led by a short culvert to the outside where it was accessible under a pointed arched superstructure. The water was used to cure sore eyes and toothache (Anon. 1928, 159-161; Ó Danachair 1958, 233). This house was demolished and the well is preserved in an ornamental shrubbery.
St. Catherine's Well was described in 1928 as follows; 'in parish of Clonturk, townland of Drishogue, lies on the north bank of the river Tolka. Until recently it was enclosed in Millbourne Avenue, being supplied from a spring that rose under the kitchen floor of the house and was led by a sort of culvert to the outside, where it was accessible under a rude pointed arch. The house has now been demolished, but the municipal authorities have been careful to preserve the well with its covering in an ornamental shrubbery. It has been in traditional repute for the cure of sore eyes, toothache and chincough; but has had no annual celebration or pattern day within living memory' (anon. 1928, 159-60).
References
- Date of revised upload: 18 April 2023
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Geraldine Stout. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
The water was used to cure sore eyes and toothache (Anon. 1928, 159-161; Ó Danachair 1958, 233).
It has been in traditional repute for the cure of sore eyes, toothache and chincough; but has had no annual celebration or pattern day within living memory' (anon. 1928, 159-60).
More holy wells nearby

St Winifred’s Well
Ritual site - holy well · Dublin · 2.8 km away

St Patrick's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Dublin · 3.0 km away

St Patrick's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Dublin · 3.5 km away
St. Ann's Well, Raheny
Ritual site - holy well · Dublin · 6.2 km away
Lady Well
Ritual site - holy well · Dublin · 6.3 km away
St. Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Castleknock (Without Phoenix Park) · Dublin · 6.8 km away
Also recorded nearby
Named sites within 5 km with only a short entry in the Archaeological Survey.
- St. Ann's Church, Dawson StreetChurch · 3.3 km · official record
St. Anne's Church, Dawson Street is post-1700 AD.
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Around St. Catherine's Well
Other heritage nearby
- St. Mary's Abbey Abbey, Dublin CityAbbey or friary · 2.6 km
- St Andrew's Church, DublinAncient church · 3.0 km
- Dublin CastleCastle · 3.0 km
- St. Audoens Church, Dublin CityAncient church · 3.1 km
- Round Tower of St Michael Le PoleRound tower · 3.2 km
- La Cave Wine Bar & RestaurantCave · 3.2 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 38 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 17 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 13 abbeys & friariesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 12 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 high crossArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 round towerArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 caveArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 ringfortArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Royal Canal Greenway - Drumcondra - Ashtown - CastleknockGreenway · 8.9 km · nearest point 0.9 km
- Royal Canal Greenway - Drumcondra - Ashtown - CastleknockGreenway · 8.9 km · nearest point 0.9 km
- Royal Canal Greenway Cycling TrailGreenway · 121.4 km · nearest point 2.5 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- KilmashogueForests · 12 km
- TicknockForests · 13 km
- Sandymount StrandBeaches · 6.2 km · Sufficient Quality (2025)
- Shelley BanksBeaches · 6.3 km
- North Bull Island Nature ReserveNature reserves · 8.2 km
- North Bull Island Nature ReserveNature reserves · 8.2 km
- DublinWalled towns · 3.0 km
- CrumlinWalled towns · 6.2 km
- Georgian TownhouseHistoric stays · 2.9 km
- Merrion MewsHistoric stays · 3.7 km
Other attractions nearby
- Experience Gaelic GamesAttraction · 0.5 km
- National Botanic GardensGardens · 0.8 km
- Adventuring with EvaWalking · 1.1 km
- Experience Glasnevin: Ireland's National CemeteryMuseums and Attraction · 1.1 km
What's on nearby
- Festive Afternoon Tea at the Old Music Shop2026-11-05 · 1.7 km
- Scummy Mummies - Hot Mess2026-11-05 · 1.8 km
- Dublin Winter Lights Tour2026-11-05 · 2.1 km
Excavations nearby
- 14E0006 Utilities at Parnell St., County DublinRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 2.0 km
- 14E0005 Utilities at Dominick St. Lr, Dominick St. Upr, Constitution Hill, County DublinRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 2.1 km

