Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
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
On rough low-lying ground. Farrell (1891, 284) recorded that this well was known as 'Barry's Well' and was so named after St Berach but the present patron of the area is the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her feast day is celebrated by the local people on the 15th of August.
Full archaeological record 130 words
On rough low-lying ground. Farrell (1891, 284) recorded that this well was known as 'Barry's Well' and was so named after St Berach but the present patron of the area is the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her feast day is celebrated by the local people on the 15th of August. The OS mapping reflects the change of patronage as the well is named 'St. Barry's Well' on the 1837 ed. of the OS 6-inch map and 'St. Mary's Well' on the 1913 ed. Described in 1978 (SMR file) as a small, triangular-shaped, steep-sided, water-filled hollow which was lined with at least one course of large stones. Water flowing from its SE angle fed an adjacent stream. This well is within an area of dense scrub and could not be located.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Patrick F. O'Donovan · Updated 7 June 2013. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
More holy wells nearby
St Brigid's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Banghill · Longford · 5.9 km away
Lady Well
Ritual site - holy well · Legan · Longford · 7.7 km away
St Columbkilles Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ratharney · Longford · 10 km away
St Brigid's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballynacarrow (Moygoish By.) · Westmeath · 11 km away
Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Baronstown · Westmeath · 12 km away
St. Bigseach's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballynacroghy Or Gallowstown · Westmeath · 13 km away
Visitors' notes
Badges are opinions of visitors - not verified facts. One vote per badge and visitor; no account needed.
Best time to visit
What's missing on this page?
Share a tip to find it
Share a local tradition or story
Suggest a correction
Suggest the right map location
Report a duplicate page
Ask a question
Do not include personal data. See our privacy notice.
Around St. Mary's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Cathedral of Saint Mel in ArdaghAncient church · 5.3 km
- Rathreagh ChurchAncient church · 7.0 km
- St Mary's ChurchAncient church · 8.8 km
- Coolamber Hall HouseCastle · 9.9 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 90 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 8 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Royal Canal WayLong Distance Waymarked Way · 146.3 km · nearest point 11 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Lough Bishop HouseHistoric stays · 24 km
Other attractions nearby
- Edgeworth Literary TrailWalking · 0.9 km
- The Maria Edgeworth Visitor CentreHistoric Houses and Castle · 0.9 km
- Cycle Tours IrelandNature and Wildlife · 12 km
What's on nearby
- Adrift2026-11-06 · 12 km
- The Last Wake at Doory Hall2026-11-06 · 13 km
- Adrift2026-11-07 · 12 km
Excavations nearby
- 05E0152 Edgeworthstown IRR Tinnyarr, County LongfordRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 1.3 km