What is recorded here

Holy well in Lackan, County Laois: a spring enclosed in a stone well-house, topped by a cross inscribed “Blessed by Rev. Father Maher C.C. AD 1891,” with a small sandstone trough set before it. The dates and names are clear; the deeper story is not. It may have been a place for drinking, healing, washing or quiet prayer, depending on the season and the needs of the people around it.

In poorly drained pasture, on S-facing slope. A spring well (dims. 0.95m x 0.95m; D 0.5m) enclosed by a stone well-house. The well house (ext. dims. 1.75m x 2.25m ; H 1m; wall T 0.43m) is surmounted by a cross with an inscription which reads 'Blessed by Rev. Father Maher C.C. AD 1891. Small rectangular sandstone trough (dims. 0.29m x 0.4m x 0.15m; T 0.07m) lying on the ground in front of the well. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Linked to Saint Gobnait, the well is traditionally associated with cures for eye ailments and was a site of pilgrimage, particularly in times of plague. The cross on the well-house reflects the Christianization of earlier pagan healing sites in Ireland.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.