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 mentioned7th century
- Condition (as surveyed)Ruined
What to look for
- Bullaun stone
- Cross or cross-slab
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 the small valley between the two hills, the whole being encompassed by Killamery graveyard (KK030-008010-). The holy well is 13m S of the high cross (KK030-008004-) and c. 50m NW of the ruined medieval church (KK030-008003-).
Full archaeological record 199 words
In the small valley between the two hills, the whole being encompassed by Killamery graveyard (KK030-008010-). The holy well is 13m S of the high cross (KK030-008004-) and c. 50m NW of the ruined medieval church (KK030-008003-). It is dedicated to St Nicholas whose feast day is celebrated on the 6th of December, the same date as the feast day of St Gobán Fionn who is attributed with founding a monastery here early in the 7th century (Carrigan 1905, vol. 4, 311-2). Of the monastic site only a high cross (KK030-008004-), two cross-slabs (KK030-008005-; KK030-008011-), a stone cross (KK030-008013-), the remains of a church (KK030-008003-) and two bullaun stones (KK030-008006-; KK030-008008-) are currently visible within the graveyard.
The holy well (dims. 0.96m N-S; 0.66m E-W; D of water 0.2m) is defined by boulders, with a large round-topped upright boulder (H 1.2m; Wth 1.05m; T 0.53m) dominating the E side, which has been carved on the W face, forming a projecting triangular pediment over the carved rectangular entrance (Wth 0.53m; H 0.4m; D 0.34m) to the spring. According to Carrigan (ibid., 315), the pediment represents the hill of Calvary and was, or was intended to be, surmounted by a cross.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Jean Farrelly · Updated 2 August 2017. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
More holy wells nearby

St Mary's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Coolaghmore · Kilkenny · 5.1 km away

Toberbride
Ritual site - holy well · Baunta Commons · Kilkenny · 6.5 km away

St. James's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Mill Island · Kilkenny · 8.6 km away

Saint Augustine's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Callan North · Kilkenny · 8.7 km away
Well of the Virgin
Ritual site - holy well · Caherlesk · Kilkenny · 8.9 km away

St. Kieran’s Well
Ritual site - holy well · Castletown (Iverk By) · Kilkenny · 9.7 km away
Also recorded nearby
Named sites within 5 km with only a short entry in the Archaeological Survey.
- TobernagloghlinRitual site - holy well · Kiltrassy · 4.6 km · official record
- Church WellRitual site - holy well · Oldcastle Lower · 4.7 km · official record
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Around St. Nicholas's Well (Killamery)
Other heritage nearby
- Killamery High CrossHigh cross · 0.0 km
- Rossaneny Graveyard and Church ruinAncient church · 3.4 km
- Ballinvir Standing StoneStanding stone · 5.1 km
- Knockroe Passage TombMegalithic tomb · 5.8 km
- Killaghy CastleCastle · 6.5 km
- Ballytobin CastleCastle · 7.6 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 12 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 high crossArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 megalithic tombArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Windgap - Bearna Breac LoopWalking Trail · 6.6 km · nearest point 0.8 km
- Windgap - Village LoopWalking Trail · 1.8 km · nearest point 3.4 km
- Tullahought - Kilmacoliver Summit LoopWalking Trail · 3.8 km · nearest point 8.4 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- CastlemorrisForests · 12 km
- Garryricken Nature ReserveNature reserves · 3.2 km
- Kyleadohir Nature ReserveNature reserves · 6.4 km
- CallanWalled towns · 8.5 km
- Carrick-on-SuirWalled towns · 15 km
Other attractions nearby
- Walk With WalterWalking · 1.5 km
- Knockroe Passage TombHistoric Houses and Castle · 5.8 km
- Ahenny High CrossesHistoric Houses and Castle · 7.8 km
- Edmund Rice Heritage CentreHistoric Houses and Castle · 9.2 km


