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At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
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
St Catherine's Well is located in the W face of a field bank in a hollow under trees, in the grounds of Fieldstown House. St Bride's church (DU011-002001-) and graveyard (DU011-002002-) lies 75m to W. It is enclosed by a brick and stone arched structure with an iron lattice door.
Full archaeological record 164 words
St Catherine's Well is located in the W face of a field bank in a hollow under trees, in the grounds of Fieldstown House. St Bride's church (DU011-002001-) and graveyard (DU011-002002-) lies 75m to W. It is enclosed by a brick and stone arched structure with an iron lattice door. Known locally as a former holy well where an annual pattern was held. No longer venerated (Ó Danachair 1958, 74, Healy 1975, 22). Folklore collected from Killossery School recorded the following tradition about this holy well; 'St. Catherine's Well is situated in the lawn of fieldstown House, Kilsallaghan. It is surrounded by a low stone wall and a small iron gate. It is covered by a stone roof. A pattern was formerly held at Fieldstown. Near St. Catherine's Well in Fieldstown is an ancient church yard now overgrown with trees. It contains many old rough head stones most of which are lying flat on the ground' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0789, Page 259; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4498542/4384984).
References
- Date of revised upload: 12 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
Known locally as a former holy well where an annual pattern was held.
Folklore collected from Killossery School recorded the following tradition about this holy well; 'St. Catherine's Well is situated in the lawn of fieldstown House, Kilsallaghan.
A pattern was formerly held at Fieldstown.
More holy wells nearby
St. Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Baldurgan · Dublin · 4.6 km away
St Brigid's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ward Lower · Dublin · 6.0 km away
Lady Well
Ritual site - holy well · Gracedieu · Dublin · 6.6 km away
St. Margaret's Well
Ritual site - holy well · St. Margaret'S · Dublin · 6.8 km away
St Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Gracedieu · Dublin · 6.8 km away

Townparks Holy Well
Ritual site - holy well · Townparks (Nethercross By.) · Dublin · 7.4 km away
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Around St Catherine's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Palmerstown ChurchAncient church · 3.2 km
- Corrstown ChurchAncient church · 4.0 km
- Westpalstown ChurchAncient church · 4.2 km
- Ballyboghil ChurchAncient church · 4.8 km
- Killeek ChurchAncient church · 5.0 km
- Ward Lower ChurchAncient church · 5.9 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 12 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Royal Canal Greenway - Drumcondra - Ashtown - CastleknockGreenway · 8.9 km · nearest point 12 km
- Royal Canal Greenway - Drumcondra - Ashtown - CastleknockGreenway · 8.9 km · nearest point 12 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Donabate, Balcarrick BeachBeaches · 13 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- Portrane, the Brook BeachBeaches · 14 km · Good Quality (2025)
- Rogerstown Estuary Nature ReserveNature reserves · 12 km
- Baldoyle Estuary Nature ReserveNature reserves · 16 km
- Georgian TownhouseHistoric stays · 17 km
- Merrion MewsHistoric stays · 18 km
Other attractions nearby
- Swords Round Tower & BelfryAbbeys and Monastery · 7.2 km
- Swords CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 7.4 km
- HikingIreland.ieWalking · 10 km
- Casino Model Railway MuseumMuseums and Attraction · 12 km
What's on nearby
- ON ICE Swords2026-11-05 · 7.8 km
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- Dublin Gallery Weekend 20262026-11-05 · 15 km · free
Excavations nearby
- 03E1331 Muckerstown Site 13b, County MeathRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 3.9 km
- 03E1331 Muckerstown Site 13c, County MeathRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 4.0 km

