What is recorded here

St. Johns Well is a closed holy well on a west-facing pasture slope in County Kildare, Ireland, recorded near Ballybought Church in 1839. It is the source of a small west-flowing stream, but no trace of enclosure or veneration remains. Whatever ritual life it once held has vanished into the pasture, leaving only the memory that it was regarded as holy.

On a W-facing pasture slope, and the source of a small W-flowing stream. According to O’Conor, jointly compiling the OSL in 1839 (Herity 2002, 199 (283)), ‘… to the N. West of it [Ballybought Church: KD029-022----] was St. John’s Well which, as I was informed, is now closed up.’ Jackson (1979-80, 154) could source, ‘… no information about this well, except that it used to be regarded as holy'. No evidence of enclosure or veneration. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 16 September 2013

St. John’s Well is traditionally associated with St. John the Baptist and was likely a site of seasonal pilgrimage, particularly around the summer solstice. Holy wells dedicated to St. John are often linked to healing and purification rituals, with water collected at dawn believed to have curative properties.

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