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
- Steps down
- 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
Holy well with modern concrete surrounds with steps leading down to a stagnant pool of water which appears to be polluted. One of the stations on the pattern held on St Kieran's day.
Full archaeological record 82 words
Holy well with modern concrete surrounds with steps leading down to a stagnant pool of water which appears to be polluted. One of the stations on the pattern held on St Kieran's day. Described in the OS Letters of 1838 as 'St. Kieran's Day, 5th March, is still held a holiday in this parish. His well lies about a quarter of a mile from the Church yard to the south at the foot of a tree in a low flat of ground'.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 23 May 2011 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
One of the stations on the pattern held on St Kieran's day.
More holy wells nearby
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Garrycastle · Offaly · 15 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Rathlihen · Offaly · 17 km away
St Manman's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Kilmanman · Laois · 19 km away
St Kieran's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Derryvorrigan · Laois · 20 km away
Saint Saran's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Moystown Demesne · Offaly · 21 km away
St Finian's Wells
Ritual site - holy well · Reary More · Laois · 24 km away
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Around St Kieran's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Churchland Round TowerRound tower · 0.6 km
- Leap CastleCastle · 4.4 km
- Birr Castle Demesne & Historic Science CentreCastle · 9.0 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 19 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 11 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 high crossesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 hillfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 round towerArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 megalithic tombArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Birr Cycle Hub Loop 3Road Cycling Trail · 73.2 km · nearest point 1.2 km
- Birr Cycle Hub Loop 3 BRoad Cycling Trail · 44.3 km · nearest point 1.5 km
- Birr Cycle Hub Loop 4Road Cycling Trail · 47.0 km · nearest point 1.9 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- GlenafellyForests · 6.1 km
- Knockbarron WoodForests · 6.7 km
- Slieve Bloom Mountains Nature ReserveNature reserves · 15 km
- Roundwood HouseHistoric stays · 18 km
Other attractions nearby
- Birr Equestrian CentreNature and Wildlife · 3.8 km
- Leap CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 4.4 km
- Birr Outdoor Education and Training CentreWalking · 8.2 km
- Birr Town Trail & Riverbank WalksWalking · 8.7 km