What is recorded here

St. Patricks Well hides in wet marshy land in County Laois, reduced to a shallow pool beside a low modern stone wall. Local tradition claims its water healed only sight ailments, suggesting people once drank there to sharpen blurred vision or ease eye pain. The small enclosed basin still marks the spot where that narrow belief gave the place its name and purpose.

Not marked on the 1841 edition of the OS 6-inch map. In wet marshy land. A shallow pool of water marks the site. A subcircular area (D 0.5m, Wth 0.8m N-S x 1m E-W) enclosed by a modern stone wall at N, E and S with slab to knee on at entrance at W. According to local information it was thought that the water from it could heal only sight ailments. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Linked to St. Patrick, the well is traditionally associated with healing and protection, common attributes of Patrick’s holy wells across Ireland. The site reflects a long-standing Christian and pre-Christian tradition of water as a medium of spiritual and physical cure.

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