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St Patricks well, Celbridge. Survey site description
Macroinvertebrate / faunal survey St Patrick's Well in Celbridge was sampled during the spring, summer and autumn surveys. The total number of organisms was substantially higher in the spring survey than in later visits. Asellus aquaticus was relatively abundant in spring as were mosquito larvae Culicidae indet. and midge larvae Chironomous sp. and Chironomidae indet. The summer and autmn surveys showed a reduced species richness with no dipteran larvae recorded. In the summer and autmn low numbers of Asellus aquaticus were recorded along with oligochaete worm specimens. Physico-chemistry Temperatures were variable at this site, ranging between 13.4oC (spring) and 11.8oC (summer). The pH value ranged between 7.38 (autumn) and 7.91 (spring). Conductivity measurements were not taken on the spring survey due to equipment failure but similar levels were recorded on subsequent surveys (715 and 720 µS/cm). Oxygen concentrations ranged between 0.7 mg/l (7% saturation) in spring and 0.3 mg/l and (3 % saturation) in summer and autumn. Aquatic macrophyte survey Lemna minor (Duckweed) was the only plant recorded at this site (ranked as 'occasional' in the spring survey). Other notable features Water levels decreased at this site over the duration of the survey period. The well chamber was completely inundated in spring and an area of approximately 25 m2 in the surrounding thicket was submerged. In summer and autumn the water was contained within the well chamber. This well was maintained and managed over the survey period by a local interest group and surrounding vegetation was cut back and some organic debris, leaves, branches, etc. were removed from the well chamber.
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© Ecological Consultancy Services Ltd 2003 |
This site is located at the base of St. Patrick's Hill in Ardrass Lower,
approximately 5 km southwest of Celbridge town. The spring is contained in a
circular stone chamber, which is half covered with a large stone plinth. The
sunken well chamber is approximately 1.5 m in diameter and the site is
surrounded with a heavy growth of ditch and scrub vegetation. Canopy cover is
substantial. The mean water depth was approximately 1 m and the substratum was
composed of a thick layer of black organic mud and decomposing leaf material.
The site is located in dense thicket close to the Celbridge to Clane Road
(R403). A short footpath has been cleared through the roadside ditch to allow
pedestrian access to the spring and local people regularly use this spring as a
source of drinking water.