St. Kierans Well

This holy well originally flowed out from under St Kieran's tree, but moved a few fields to E after being profaned (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 347). Pilgrims came to it on the 5th March, St Kieran's feast day. 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. Kieran's Well is associated with St. Kieran, a 6th-century Irish saint and founder of the monastery at Clonmacnoise, and was traditionally visited by pilgrims on his feast day, March 5th, for its healing properties. The well's relocation after being "profaned" reflects a common motif in holy well folklore, where sacred sites are believed to lose or shift their power following desecration.