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
- 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
In rough pasture, c. 20m S of Kings River and c. 15m N of the Callan-Kells road. According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 323-4) this is, ‘one of the finest springs in Co. Kilkenny.
Full archaeological record 81 words
In rough pasture, c. 20m S of Kings River and c. 15m N of the Callan-Kells road. According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 323-4) this is, ‘one of the finest springs in Co. Kilkenny. A pattern, with the usual pilgrimages, was held here formerly’. O’Kelly (1969, 154) mentions that the pattern day of the well, known as ‘Tobar San Séain’ or ‘St. James’s Well’, was held on the last Sunday in July up until the early years of the twentieth century.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Jean Farrelly · Updated 10 May 2022. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
O’Kelly (1969, 154) mentions that the pattern day of the well, known as ‘Tobar San Séain’ or ‘St. James’s Well’, was held on the last Sunday in July up until the early years of the twentieth century.
More holy wells nearby
Saint Augustine's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Callan North · Kilkenny · 2.0 km away
Well of the Rags
Ritual site - holy well · Castle Eve · Kilkenny · 2.1 km away
Well of the Virgin
Ritual site - holy well · Caherlesk · Kilkenny · 2.4 km away
Maon's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Tullamaine (Ashbrook) · Kilkenny · 3.3 km away
Toberbride
Ritual site - holy well · Baunta Commons · Kilkenny · 3.3 km away
St Mary's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Coolaghmore · Kilkenny · 3.9 km away
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Around St. James's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Callan Augustinian FriaryAbbey or friary · 2.0 km
- St. Mary's ChurchAncient church · 2.0 km
- Skerry's CastleCastle · 2.2 km
- White ChurchAncient church · 2.2 km
- Callan MotteCastle · 2.3 km
- Caherlesk CastleCastle · 2.8 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 13 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 9 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 8 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- South Kilkenny Cycle LoopRoad Cycling Trail · 43.2 km · nearest point 6.5 km
- North Kilkenny Cycle RouteRoad Cycling Trail · 80.5 km · nearest point 8.1 km
- Windgap - Bearna Breac LoopWalking Trail · 6.6 km · nearest point 8.3 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Coill an FhaltaighForests · 11 km
- CastlemorrisForests · 11 km
- Garryricken Nature ReserveNature reserves · 5.4 km
- Kyleadohir Nature ReserveNature reserves · 6.1 km
- CallanWalled towns · 2.1 km
- Clomanatagh CastleHistoric stays · 23 km
Other attractions nearby
- Edmund Rice Heritage CentreHistoric Houses and Castle · 3.1 km
- Kells PrioryHistoric Houses and Castle · 6.6 km
- Kilree High CrossHistoric Houses and Castle · 6.6 km
- Gáirdín an GhortaGardens · 9.7 km
What's on nearby
- Pa Sheehy The Magic We Found Tour2026-11-05 · 15 km
- Kilkenomics2026-11-06 · 16 km
- Kilkenomics2026-11-07 · 16 km