St. Kennys Well — Kilkenny West

St. Kenny's [St. Canice] holy well situated in a roughly-D-shaped grove of trees and bushes on flat poorly drained land with church (WM023-025----) and graveyard (WM023-025001-) 240m to SW. Kilkenny Castle (WM023-023----) 330m to WSW and site of levelled abbey (WM023-026----) belonging to the Fratres Cruciferi / Crouched Friars 260m to SSW. In 1837 the Ordnance Survey Letters recorded that near 'the ruins of Cainneach’s chapel (WM023-025002-) still springs a well called Tobar Chainnigh, which is fast losing its sanctity' (Herity 2011). Present remains consist of a circular-shaped spring well (diam. 1.2m; D 0.6m) enclosed by drystone wall surround with 4 steps leading down to water on W side. The area around the well is covered in thorn bushes and trees making detailed examination of the site impossible. A large octagonal-shaped font (WM023-024001-) lies on the ground immediately to the N of well. This font may have come from the medieval church (WM023-025----) or from the abbey site (WM023-026----). Other architectural fragments of various dates have been placed around the perimeter of the well forming a series of stations around the well. A low cut stone pillar of 19th century date appears to have supported an iron chain or railing which once enclosed the well. The hexagonal shaped base of a cross or font lies to the W of the well, a stone cross (WM023-024002-) possibly a finial cross of the medieval church (WM023-025----) has been placed into the socket of this base. The carving of a winged angel (WM023-024003-) can be seen on a V-shaped architectural fragment which formed the apex of a niche or apex of a hood moulding lying on the ground immediately SE of the well. This fragment came from either the medieval abbey (WM023-026---) or the nearby medieval church (WM023-025----). Immediately to the NE of the well lying on the surface of the ground there is a large piece of cut stone which appears to be the capital (WM023-024004-) of a column supporting the ribs of a vaulted roof belonging to the nearby medieval abbey (WM023-026---). Unable to locate stone corbel carved with an angel which was recorded in the late 1970s (SMR File). A stone fleur-de-lys cross of post medieval date with socket for metal cross stands immediately SE of the well. The monument was visited in 1981 and described as 'the well itself is a small circular stone built structure full of stagnant water. Beside it are a number of fragments, some of which probably came originally from the nearby 'abbey' (WM023-026----). Immediately to N of well there is a font or stoup. Sitting in it is a piece of cut stone, possibly part of a column. To W of well there is a hexagonal block of cut stone with a depression in its centre. In this is standing a small cross. Lying against it is a second cross, the shaft of which is broken. Lying on the ground nearby are several other fragments of cut stone. These include another broken cross and at least three blocks of cut stone, one of which may be the head of a column. The block of stone at present lying in the font at N of well has a fine carved figure in it. This is c.1ft high and is clearly meant to represent an ecclesiastic. It is dressed in a flowing robe and has its hands joined across its chest. The enclosure in which the well is located is badly overgrown' (SMR file). Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 6 July 2015