In conjunction with Sallins GAA, I’ve had some success making chapel lane safer and managed to keep intact some local history. The chapel on Chapel Lane in Sallins has long disappeared but one relic from a by-gone era has survived. Next to the gates of the GAA grounds is an historic holy well situated below street level.

After the matter was raised at the Sallins GAA AGM, in my role as member of the council’s Heritage Committee, I undertook to address it. I recently arranged for safety railings to be installed to prevent people falling in to the well, particularly younger children who frequent the GAA grounds. The GAA club were also keen to preserve this local piece of history.

Cross engraved on stone at foot of well.

Local legend has it that one time locals were baptised there. The lane takes its name from the chapel that once existed at the site of this well. While it is no longer used for baptisms, it is an interesting historic feature of the village. The next time you’re attending a football match in Sallins, be sure to seek out the well. There’s an old stone carving of a cross at the foot of the well – but take care not to fall in!