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
- Offerings left
- 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
Situated 150m east of St Catherine's church (WI019-001----). A well dedicated to St Catherine, and probably destroyed by the new bypass.
Full archaeological record 73 words
Situated 150m east of St Catherine's church (WI019-001----). A well dedicated to St Catherine, and probably destroyed by the new bypass. According to Lynch (1994, 641) a 'whitethorn had marked the well but was cut down before the 1930s. The well had been frequented for the cure of many ailments, and offerings were left at the well. No memory of any pattern. An attempt was made to close the well with tragic consequences'.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Caimin O'Brien · Updated 17 December 2012 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
The well had been frequented for the cure of many ailments, and offerings were left at the well.
More holy wells nearby
Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballymacahara · Wicklow · 7.7 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballymanus Upper · Wicklow · 12 km away
Bride's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Dunbur Head · Wicklow · 13 km away
Lady Well
Ritual site - holy well · Kilmurry North (Arklow By.) · Wicklow · 20 km away
Virgin's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ticlash · Wicklow · 20 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballymoney (Ballinacor South By.) · Wicklow · 23 km away
Visitors' notes
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Around St. Catherine's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Newcastle ChurchAncient church · 1.5 km
- St Patrick's ChurchAncient church · 3.8 km
- Kilcoole ChurchAncient church · 3.8 km
- Kindlestown CastleCastle · 7.0 km
- Derralossory ChurchAncient church · 9.9 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 8 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 8 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Sugar Loaf WayWalking Trail · 17.3 km · nearest point 4.8 km
- The Devil's Glen - Waterfall WalkWalking Trail · 4.4 km · nearest point 6.5 km
- Roundwood Reservoir Lower Vartry TrailWalking Trail · 7.6 km · nearest point 6.5 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- The Devil's GlenForests · 6.9 km
- KindlestownForests · 7.7 km
- Kilcoole BeachBeaches · 4.8 km
- Greystones SouthBeaches · 7.6 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- Glen of the Downs Nature ReserveNature reserves · 6.6 km
- Knocksink Wood Nature ReserveNature reserves · 15 km
- Newcastle MackineganWalled towns · 2.0 km
- WicklowWalled towns · 12 km
- Wicklow Head LighthouseHistoric stays · 14 km
Other attractions nearby
- Wren’s Wood GardenGardens · 2.6 km
- BirdsirelandNature and Wildlife · 3.2 km
- Two Rock OutdoorNature and Wildlife · 4.2 km
- Altidore CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 4.6 km
What's on nearby
- Killruddery Harvest Ball - Every Child Counts2026-11-07 · 12 km
- Wicklow Stories Film Festival 20262026-11-13 · 7.6 km