Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
- Date or period mentioned4th century
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
A well is marked on the 1839 and 1940 eds of the OS 6-inch map, and described in gothic lettering as St. Michael’s Well on both. It is located on a level, low-lying landscape, c. 40m SW of the perimeter of the graveyard (WX048-003002-).
Full archaeological record 148 words
A well is marked on the 1839 and 1940 eds of the OS 6-inch map, and described in gothic lettering as St. Michael’s Well on both. It is located on a level, low-lying landscape, c. 40m SW of the perimeter of the graveyard (WX048-003002-). According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on 29 September until it was suppressed c. 1830 (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 278-9). There is no evidence of the well now, and the location has been built over. According to Christian tradition as revealed in the Book of Revelation St. Michael the Archangel defeated the forces of evil and banished Lucifer from Heaven. Devotion to St. Michael developed in the 4th century as the leader of the army of the righteous and was widespread in Europe by the 6th century. For St. Michael see this web-page accessed on 5 December, 2013 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_(archangel)
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Michael Moore · Updated 6 January, 2014. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on 29 September until it was suppressed c. 1830 (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 278-9).
More holy wells nearby
St. Keevil's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballybrennan Little · Wexford · 1.8 km away
St Mary's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Grahormack · Wexford · 2.2 km away
St Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Trimmer · Wexford · 2.3 km away
St. Braagh's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Burrow (Forth By., Rosslare Ed) · Wexford · 3.9 km away
St. Helen's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Killiane · Wexford · 4.3 km away
St Catherine's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Allenstown Big · Wexford · 4.7 km away
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Around St. Michael's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Rathmacknee CastleCastle · 5.6 km
- St Ibar's Church, Our Lady's IslandAncient church · 6.1 km
- Sigginstown CastleCastle · 6.6 km
- Rathlannon castleCastle · 7.5 km
- Saint Iberius' Church, WexfordAncient church · 9.5 km
- Priory of SS. Peter and Paul of Selskar by WexfordAncient church · 9.8 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 38 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 14 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 standing stoneArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Rosslare Harbour Village TrailWalking Trail · 2.7 km · nearest point 4.6 km
- Rosslare Harbour Clifftop WalkWalking Trail · 1.8 km · nearest point 4.6 km
- Wexford Section of Eurovelo 1Road Cycling Trail · nearest point 5.2 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Shelmaliere / Forth MountainForests · 12 km
- Rosslare StrandBeaches · 2.2 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- Rosslare HarbourBeaches · 5.4 km
- The Raven Nature ReserveNature reserves · 11 km
- Wexford Wildfowl Reserve Nature ReserveNature reserves · 11 km
- WexfordWalled towns · 9.5 km
Other attractions nearby
- Rosslare StrandBeach · 3.6 km
- Rosslare Harbour BeachNatural Landscape · 5.4 km
- Tacumshane WindmillMuseums and Attraction · 5.8 km
- Our Lady's Island MonasteryHistoric Houses and Castle · 5.8 km
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