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 mentioned19th century
What to look for
- Steps down
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
S of Gaol Road and N of St Rioc's graveyard (KK019-025002-). According to Hogan (1883, 14-15) St. Rock's Well is a spring well, 'so named from its proximity to St. Rock's Church, near the Fair Green, formerly sprung up in the centre of walkin's Green'.
Full archaeological record 150 words
S of Gaol Road and N of St Rioc's graveyard (KK019-025002-). According to Hogan (1883, 14-15) St. Rock's Well is a spring well, 'so named from its proximity to St. Rock's Church, near the Fair Green, formerly sprung up in the centre of walkin's Green'. The well was within a wet marshy turlough called Walkin's Lough which is depicted on the 1st (1839-40) ed. OS 6-inch map. The well appears to have disappeared from view by the 19th century, however, Hogan (1858-9, 472-3) relates how in the summer of 1812 the well was revealed during digging in the turlough for manure, 'a range of stones rudely placed so as to form so many steps' were found which led, 'to an enclosure of irregularly shaped stones'. The well was subsequently covered again by the waters of the lough (ibid.). According to Hogan (1883, 14-15) the lake was drained in 1830 (ibid.).
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Jean Farrelly · Updated 28 September 2020. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
More holy wells nearby

Kenny's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Gardens (Kilkenny City By., St. Canice Par.) · Kilkenny · 0.5 km away

St. Martin's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Templemartin (Gowran By., Clara Ed) · Kilkenny · 4.8 km away
St. Brendan's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Troyswood · Kilkenny · 5.0 km away

Saint Fiachra's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Sheastown · Kilkenny · 5.1 km away

Patron Well
Ritual site - holy well · Church Hill · Kilkenny · 6.3 km away

Saint Colman's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Churchclara · Kilkenny · 7.5 km away
Also recorded nearby
Named sites within 5 km with only a short entry in the Archaeological Survey.
- Mary's WellRitual site - holy well · Gardens (Kilkenny City By., St. Mary’S Par.) · 0.5 km · official record
- Angel's WellRitual site - holy well · Gardens (Kilkenny City By., St. Canice Par.) · 0.6 km · official record
- St. Francis's WellRitual site - holy well · Gardens (Kilkenny City By., St. Mary’S Par.) · 0.8 km · official record
- Maudlin CastleCastle - tower house · Gardens (Kilkenny City By., St. John'S Par.) · 1.0 km · official record
Visitors' notes
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Around St Rioch's Well
Other heritage nearby
- The Hole In The WallCastle · 0.4 km
- St. Mary's Church, St. Mary's Lane, KilkennyAncient church · 0.5 km
- Black AbbeyAbbey or friary · 0.6 km
- Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny CityCastle · 0.6 km
- Grace's Old CastleCastle · 0.6 km
- Kilkenny Grey FriaryAbbey or friary · 0.8 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 21 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 20 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 11 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 abbeys & friariesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 round towerArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 high crossArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 standing stoneArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- North Kilkenny Cycle LoopRoad Cycling Trail · 24.0 km · nearest point 0.8 km
- South Kilkenny Cycle LoopRoad Cycling Trail · 43.2 km · nearest point 1.2 km
- Nore Valley Walk - Kilkenny to Bennetsbridge SectionLong Distance Waymarked Way · 8.2 km · nearest point 1.9 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Coill an FhaltaighForests · 4.6 km
- JenkinstownForests · 9.4 km
- Ballykeefe Nature ReserveNature reserves · 10 km
- Kyleadohir Nature ReserveNature reserves · 18 km
- KilkennyWalled towns · 0.5 km
- GowranWalled towns · 13 km
- Clomanatagh CastleHistoric stays · 18 km
Other attractions nearby
- Ormonde Language Tours KilkennyWalking · 0.5 km
- Medieval Mile MuseumHistoric Houses and Castle · 0.5 km
- Kilkenny Walking ToursWalking · 0.5 km
- The Kilkenny Way Hurling ExperienceAttraction · 0.5 km
What's on nearby
- Pa Sheehy The Magic We Found Tour2026-11-05 · 0.7 km
- Kilkenomics2026-11-06 · 1.0 km
- Kilkenomics2026-11-07 · 1.0 km

