What is recorded here

St. Bridget's Well in County Kildare still forces water upward beside a shallow gripe on a private farm, yet cattle now tread its unmarked edge instead of people seeking relief from toothache or earache. A large drainage channel carries the overflow northeast across open land, proving the source remains vigorous even though the holy tree is gone and the well house has replaced the old open basin. The path to Kill may have faded from memory, but the water keeps moving, waiting for someone local to point it out again.

Fitzgerald (1915-7, 494) described, 'St. Bridget's Well on Mr. Lyon's farm (as) … now sadly neglected; it is unenclosed, and trodden around by cattle. Though a strong flow of water boils up in it, yet from its position by the side of a gripe, it would require a native of the locality to point it out.' Jackson (1979-80, 161) says the well was visited for toothache and earache cures and tokens were left at it. It was said to have been formerly linked via St. Brigid's path to her church at Kill (KD019-008002-). However, the well was not associated with a pattern and is now covered by a pump house. Visible on a 2005 aerial photo (OSi Orthophoto) with a very large drainage channel leading NNE from the well-house. A holy tree (KD020-004001-) once stood nearby. (Herity 2002, 23 (65)) Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011

St. Bridget's Well is associated with St. Brigid of Kildare, a prominent early Irish saint linked to fertility, healing, and protection. Traditionally, such wells were sites of pilgrimage and ritual, particularly on St. Brigid's Day (1st February), when people would collect the first water of the year for blessings and cures.

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