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 mentionedmedieval
- Recorded sizetop diameter 2m N-S; base diameter 4.9m N-S; H 1m
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
The well was closed c. 1845 when a rock was placed over it (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 352). The well is still visible as a grass covered earth and stone mound (top diam. 2m N-S; base diam. 4.9m N-S; H 1m) that partially covers a natural spring well located on wet flat marshy land with a small stream immediately to the W.
Full archaeological record 140 words
The well was closed c. 1845 when a rock was placed over it (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 352). The well is still visible as a grass covered earth and stone mound (top diam. 2m N-S; base diam. 4.9m N-S; H 1m) that partially covers a natural spring well located on wet flat marshy land with a small stream immediately to the W.
Described by Carrigan as 'St. Patrick's holy well is a little to the north-west of the graveyard (LA028-025001-), but it is now closed, a great rock having been rolled into it about 1845. Beside the well is Donnaghmore "Moat" (LA028-024001-) (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 352).
Donaghmore Motte and castle (LA028-024001/002-) is located 30m to the NE on the high ridge over looking the holy well while the medieval church and graveyard (LA028-025/001-) are located 210m to the SSE.
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
More holy wells nearby
St Kieran's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Derryvorrigan · Laois · 5.7 km away
St. Canice's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Corraun · Laois · 7.8 km away
St Michael's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Bayswell · Kilkenny · 11 km away
St John's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Toberboe Or Killenny More · Laois · 12 km away
Tobar na súl
Ritual site - holy well · Rathlogan · Kilkenny · 13 km away
Saint Elakan's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Gorteennamuck · Kilkenny · 13 km away
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Around St Patrick's Well
Other heritage nearby
- St. Kieran's ChurchAncient church · 5.3 km
- KyleaderryAncient church · 6.1 km
- Whiteswall CastleCastle · 6.9 km
- Castletown CastleCastle · 7.8 km
- Aghaboe PrioryAbbey or friary · 7.9 km
- Aghaboe ChurchAncient church · 8.0 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 30 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 13 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 11 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Granstown Wood and Lake Nature Reserve Woodland TrailWalking Trail · 2.2 km · nearest point 6.3 km
- Granstown Wood and Lake Nature Reserve Lake TrailWalking Trail · 2.2 km · nearest point 6.4 km
- Cullahill - Binnianea LoopWalking Trail · 9.8 km · nearest point 11 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- CapponellanForests · 13 km
- Dunmore WoodForests · 15 km
- Coolacurragh Wood Nature ReserveNature reserves · 6.4 km
- Grantstown Wood and Grantstown Lough Nature ReserveNature reserves · 6.7 km
- Roundwood HouseHistoric stays · 18 km
- Clomanatagh CastleHistoric stays · 18 km
Other attractions nearby
- Donaghmore Famine Workhouse MuseumHistoric Houses and Castle · 0.8 km
- Aghaboe AbbeyHistoric Houses and Castle · 7.9 km
- Midland EscapeWalking · 10 km
Excavations nearby
- E2155 Doon 2, County LaoisRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 4.7 km
- E2220 Bushfield or Maghernaskeagh or Lismore 1, County LaoisRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 5.4 km