St Longory's Well
Photo: A.-K. D. · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ritual site - holy well

St Longory's Well

Holy well in Kilgorey, Co. Laois, with a rag tree beside it.

  • AccessNot confirmed
  • National MonumentNot recorded
  • DateNot stated
  • Folklore2 quotes
  • PhotoWikimedia Commons
Kilgory, Co. Laois52.82863, -7.11905
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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
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History and description

This holy well, situated c. 40m NW of church (LA036-002001-), has been completely modernised. A pattern day was formerly held here on 24th June (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 197).

Full archaeological record 190 words

This holy well, situated c. 40m NW of church (LA036-002001-), has been completely modernised. A pattern day was formerly held here on 24th June (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 197). Described by Comerford as 'An ancient grave-yard, still extensively used, occupies the probable site of St. Lony's cell and oratory, the latter, no doubt, in subsequent times by a public church (LA036-002001-). The trunk of a venerable tree (LA036-002004-) remains from an aperture in which, six feet from the ground, people still living state that they recollect to have seen water flow in a copious stream. Every available portion of the withered trunk is decorated with ex voto rags. The Saint's Well is immediately outside the burial ground. A Patron used to be held here on the 24th of June; very old natives tell of crowds of people flocking to it, and of fields and tents set up for their accomodation. As has so frequently been the case, abuses resulting from these assemblages, caused the Patron to be discontinued; but even still, the well is resorted to by pilgrims, especially on festivals of the Blessed Virgin' (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 197).

Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 17 December 2007 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Laois. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.

Folklore and traditions

A pattern day was formerly held here on 24th June (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 197).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Every available portion of the withered trunk is decorated with ex voto rags.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact

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      Around St Longory's Well

      Other heritage nearby

      Recorded within 5 km

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