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
In a broad flat river valley, c. 60m N of the Nuenna River and c, 16m S of the road. According to the OS Letters (1839), the well, 'in the Townland of Tobar na Peisté to which it gave its name signifying the Well of the Worm in which it is said people were accustomed to wash their hands to cure the worm.
Full archaeological record 150 words
In a broad flat river valley, c. 60m N of the Nuenna River and c, 16m S of the road. According to the OS Letters (1839), the well, 'in the Townland of Tobar na Peisté to which it gave its name signifying the Well of the Worm in which it is said people were accustomed to wash their hands to cure the worm. Chúm siúbhal Péiste do Leigheis' (O'Flanagan ed. 1930, vol. 1, 188 (62-3)). According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 256), 'It is reputed holy. There is a tradition that a Saint, name forgotten, attacked and slew the piast here, and that, when exhausted and parched with thirst, after the encounter, the well miraculously burst forth to refresh him'. The well is no longer venerated. There is a concrete covering over the well which appears to be c. 10m S of the location indicated on the 25-inch OS map.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Jean Farrelly · Updated 8 February 2018. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
According to the OS Letters (1839), the well, 'in the Townland of Tobar na Peisté to which it gave its name signifying the Well of the Worm in which it is said people were accustomed to wash their hands to cure the worm.
More holy wells nearby

St. Lachtain's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Moat · Kilkenny · 2.1 km away

Hermit's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Clontubbrid · Kilkenny · 2.7 km away

Our Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Clomantagh Lower · Kilkenny · 3.9 km away

Toberpatrick
Ritual site - holy well · Tubbrid Upper · Kilkenny · 4.8 km away

St. Monchin’s Well
Ritual site - holy well · Coolcashin · Kilkenny · 5.0 km away

St. Catherine's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Rathbeagh · Kilkenny · 5.4 km away
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Around Tobernapeastia
Other heritage nearby
- Kilrush CastleCastle · 1.5 km
- Ballylarkin ChurchAncient church · 1.5 km
- St. Lachtain's ChurchAncient church · 1.6 km
- Balleen CastleCastle · 2.3 km
- Clontubbrid ChurchAncient church · 2.7 km
- Killoshulan CastleCastle · 3.1 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 29 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 15 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 14 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 standing stoneArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Freshford LoopWalking Trail · 5.7 km · nearest point 0.4 km
- North Kilkenny Cycle RouteRoad Cycling Trail · 80.5 km · nearest point 1.2 km
- Gathabawn LoopWalking Trail · 11.3 km · nearest point 4.9 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- JenkinstownForests · 8.8 km
- CapponellanForests · 11 km
- Ballykeefe Nature ReserveNature reserves · 14 km
- Coolacurragh Wood Nature ReserveNature reserves · 15 km
- KilkennyWalled towns · 15 km
- Clomanatagh CastleHistoric stays · 4.5 km
Other attractions nearby
- River NoreNature and Wildlife · 5.2 km
- Dunmore CaveMuseums and Attraction · 12 km
- The Irish Fly Fishing and Game MuseumMuseums and Attraction · 12 km
What's on nearby
- Pa Sheehy The Magic We Found Tour2026-11-05 · 14 km
- Kilkenomics2026-11-06 · 15 km
- Kilkenomics2026-11-07 · 15 km


