Water from St John’s Well to be pumped to roadside in compromise with landowners

After over four years, the saga surrounding demolition at St John's Well in Warrenstown seems to be ending with agreement reached between the landowners and the council to pump the well water to the roadside for public access.

The well on the grounds of the Salesian Agricultural College in Drumree had been the destination of pilgrims for centuries, as the water is believed to have healing powers. However, in the sale of the property by the religious order in 2015, no provision was made for a right of way, and the new owners removed the surrounds of the well, clearing the site, leaving a wooden cover in its place.

A recorded monument comprising images of the heads of two saints were all that remained, while the wall and steps to the water source, which were built in 1945, were removed.

The removal of the surrounds of St John's Well angered many supporters of the well in the communities of Drumree, Dunsany, and surrounds, and led to many public meetings in Dunsany Hall and a process involving local public representatives, the property owners, and council officials.

It was brought to the attention of the Department of Heritage’s National Monuments Service in May 2018 that the stone heads had been moved from their original location, and reset.

Following this, the National Monuments Service engaged in extensive liaison with Meath County Council, the owner of the land on which St John’s Well is situated and the National Museum of Ireland to ensure that the stone heads would be appropriately protected and conserved into the future.

It was decided in 2019 that the heads should be placed in the care of the National Museum, and it is planned to place replicas at Warrenstown.

Meath county councillor and local historian, Noel French, this week welcomed commencement of work by Meath County Council on the installation of a roadside well at Warrenstown.

"While it was not the ideal solution, it is the best that can be done at present," he said. Cllr French thanked Meath County Council for pursuing the matter.

"This well is a holy place, made more holy by the faith of people who have worshipped here for centuries. I am glad that water from the well will again be available. "