St John's Well, Carrigaline, Co Cork, Ireland

## Overview St John's Well is a historic holy well tucked away in woodland on the edge of Carrigaline, County Cork, Ireland. The spring water emerges inside a distinctive beehive-shaped stone hut — a style of construction with deep roots in early Irish Christian and pre-Christian tradition. Beehive huts (known in Irish as *clocháns*) are among the oldest surviving stone structures in Ireland, and their association with holy wells speaks to centuries of spiritual reverence for natural water sources. Locally known as St. John's Holy Well, the site has long been considered sacred. Holy wells are a widespread feature of the Irish landscape, often linked to patron saints and used for prayer, pilgrimage, and ritual. Visitors have historically regarded the water here as blessed, and the well remains a quiet place of reflection for locals and curious travellers alike. The spring is freely accessible to the public around the clock. Its secluded woodland setting, bordered by open grassland and farmland, makes it a peaceful retreat just minutes from the centre of Carrigaline. **Corrected GPS coordinates:** 51.82139, -8.40553 **Address:** 149–150 Dún Eoin, Carrigaline West, Carrigaline, Co. Cork, P43 W326, Ireland ## Directions 1. From Carrigaline town centre, head north on the **R611**. 2. At the roundabout, take the left exit onto **Ballinrea Road**. 3. Continue along Ballinrea Road and take a **left turn** into the **Dún Eoin** housing estate. 4. Follow the estate road all the way through until you reach the end of the road. 5. At the end of the road, look to your **right** — a path leads into the woods behind the estate. 6. Follow the path a short distance into the woodland. The beehive-shaped well structure will come into view. The well is situated in the woods directly behind the Dún Eoin estate, with open grassland and farmland stretching out beyond it. ## What to Expect St John's Well is sheltered inside a small, beehive-shaped stone hut. The water collects within this enclosed structure, which helps protect the spring from the elements. The surrounding woodland is quiet and atmospheric — a welcome contrast to the nearby suburban streets of Carrigaline. Behind the well, the landscape opens up into broad grassland and working farmland, giving the area a surprisingly rural feel despite its proximity to town. The site is a lovely spot for a moment of calm, a short walk, or simply to appreciate one of Cork's many hidden heritage features. The well is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and there is no charge to visit. Reaching the site after dark is possible, though the unlit woodland path may be challenging without a torch. Sturdy footwear is recommended, as the ground can be uneven and muddy, especially after rain. While the water at St John's Well has historically been used as a drinking water source and is considered holy by many locals, water quality can vary with weather and season. Visitors who wish to collect water should be aware that it has not been formally tested or certified as potable.