Holy Wells in Culdaff and Cloncha
Taken from Our Inis Eoghain Heritage by Brian Bonner

The holy well is a good example of how pagan cult was merged into the Christian way of life. The well was a centre of worship in Druidic times. When Christianity was introduced, people still visited the old place, but gradually the practice was Christianised and a saint substituted for the pagan deify.

The number of holy wells is small in this area. There is no doubt that formerly there were many more, but their story has been lost. The ones listed here continue as places of pilgrimage up to the early part of this century.

CARROWMORE Gleneely, was the site of a holy well to which pilgrimages were made up to the early part of the present century. The name of the saint associated with it is not known. It was located close to the monastery of Both Chonais.

GREGASOLE in the townland of Culdaff was the site of a holy well associated with a cure for ailments of the eye. The well is still in use..

CULDAFF: Here was located the holy well associated with the cult of St. Buadan.

DRUMAVILLE-MALIN: At the foot of Dunkintra, near Straghbreggagh Bay, there are three wells. A turas was made to these, but nothing further is known about them.

FALMORE; In the townland of Leitrim, close by the spot where the school at Falmore formerly stood, there is a hollow in the stream at the foot of a waterfall. This was known as the Well of St. Ultan. It was a place of pilgrimage for those suffering from any illness. It was specially frequented by sick children. On the hill behind stood an ancient cross which has now disintegrated. In the last century the local landlord, a benevolent man, had a new cross cut and erected here to honour the saint and the turas. Local tradition says that the saint lived here for a time. Perhaps there was here an ancient hermitage.

MALIN WELL was a famous place of pilgrimage. Here was a well blessed by Muirdhealach.

TEMPLEMOYLE had two holy wells dedicated to St. Eunan.

UMGALL had two holy wells. One is situated on the summit of Knockrath. The well is closed in with stones and is well protected. It is located on the edge of the famous circle of stones marking an ancient grave. The second well is in the detached portion of Umgall and close to a large cairn. The well was dedicated to St. Oisin, and was a centre of devotion up to the second quarter of this century.

Back