No photo yet - add one
Ritual site - holy well

Well of the Rags

Tobar na ngiobóg

Holy well in Castle Eve, Co. Kilkenny.

  • AccessNot confirmed
  • National MonumentNot recorded
  • DateNot stated
  • Folklore2 quotes
  • PhotoWanted
Castle Eve, Co. Kilkenny52.54174, -7.33565
Directions Map

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
Advertisement

History and description

Located c. 10m E of a meandering stream, in rough grazing. The OS Letters (1839) describe this holy well as, 'Tobar na nGiobog, i.e., the Well of the Rags, from the quantity of rags left there formerly and still by its votaries' (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 2, 58 (19)).

Full archaeological record 80 words

Located c. 10m E of a meandering stream, in rough grazing. The OS Letters (1839) describe this holy well as, 'Tobar na nGiobog, i.e., the Well of the Rags, from the quantity of rags left there formerly and still by its votaries' (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 2, 58 (19)). Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 330) also mentions the 'well of the Rags, from the ex-votos of linen and cloth &c. which used formerly to be hung on a tree growing over it'.

Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Jean Farrelly · Updated 11 May 2022. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.

Folklore and traditions

The OS Letters (1839) describe this holy well as, 'Tobar na nGiobog, i.e., the Well of the Rags, from the quantity of rags left there formerly and still by its votaries' (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 2, 58 (19)).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 330) also mentions the 'well of the Rags, from the ex-votos of linen and cloth &c. which used formerly to be hung on a tree growing over it'.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
Offerings and rag trees

More holy wells nearby

Well of the head

Ritual site - holy well · Ovenstown · Kilkenny · 2.1 km away

St. James's Well

Ritual site - holy well · Mill Island · Kilkenny · 2.1 km away

St. Bridget's Well

Ritual site - holy well · Newtown (Shea) · Kilkenny · 2.2 km away

Well of the Virgin

Ritual site - holy well · Caherlesk · Kilkenny · 2.4 km away

Maon's Well

Ritual site - holy well · Tullamaine (Ashbrook) · Kilkenny · 2.8 km away

Saint Augustine's Well

Ritual site - holy well · Callan North · Kilkenny · 3.5 km away

Advertisement

Visitors' notes

Badges are opinions of visitors - not verified facts. One vote per badge and visitor; no account needed.

Best time to visit

What's missing on this page?

      Share a tip to find it

      Share a local tradition or story

      Suggest a correction

      Suggest the right map location

      Stand at the site and use your location, or type the coordinates.

      Report a duplicate page

      Ask a question

      Do not include personal data. See our privacy notice.

      Around Well of the Rags

      Other heritage nearby

      Recorded within 5 km

      Walks and trails

      • South Kilkenny Cycle LoopRoad Cycling Trail · 43.2 km · nearest point 4.6 km
      • North Kilkenny Cycle RouteRoad Cycling Trail · 80.5 km · nearest point 8.0 km
      • Coille an Fhaltaigh Millennium Park - Red TrailWalking Trail · 3.3 km · nearest point 8.4 km

      Outdoors, towns and places to stay

      • Coill an FhaltaighForests · 9.4 km
      • CastlemorrisForests · 11 km
      • Garryricken Nature ReserveNature reserves · 7.3 km
      • Kyleadohir Nature ReserveNature reserves · 8.1 km
      • CallanWalled towns · 3.7 km
      • ThomastownWalled towns · 13 km
      • Clomanatagh CastleHistoric stays · 23 km

      Other attractions nearby

      What's on nearby

      My places: 0