What is recorded here

St. Kabans Well and Stone is a drystone spring in County Laois where people gathered on 3rd November until the 1830s. St. Kaban's Stone leans across part of the opening, its surface marked with an incised circle and two elliptical depressions. The water may have refreshed travellers, healed small wounds or simply given the village a reason to remember together.

Situated 130m NW of Anatrim Church (LA016-016003-). Pattern day on 3rd November that was held at the well up until the 1830's (Carrigan 1905, 146-150). A subcircular spring well (dims. 2.2m x 2.1m; D 1.2m) lined internally with drystone masonry at N and W partly covered over by 'St. Kaban's Stone' which is a limestone flag, decorated on its upper surface with an incised circle and two elliptical depressions (LA016-016001-) (Elizabeth FitzPatrick 1991). 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

St. Kabans Well and Stone is associated with the early Christian saint St. Kaban, traditionally linked to the spread of Christianity in the region. The well was venerated for its healing properties, particularly for curing skin ailments, and was a site of pilgrimage on its pattern day, 3rd November, until the 1830s.

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