Holy Wells of Inishowen

By Henry Morris, M.A.

"Well worship" was a pagan custom common to the whole of Europe and to far beyond it, but with a wise tolerance begotten of a knowledge of human nature, which our moderns, with all their vaunted advancement, seem to lack, our early missionaries did not try to prohibit and anathematise this deep-rooted, custom, but christianised it in purpose and practice. They used their springs as fonts at which their new converts were baptised.

Indeed, it is marvellous almost how the names and traditions of our early saints still cling to these holy wells after fourteen or fifteen centuries, in a country that never knew peace, but was ever disturbed by wars, confiscations, famine and economic distress.

Except a few where, in recent times, the tradition has become lost, practically all our wells are indentified with the name of some saint, and the well not alone kept the name of the saint ringing all down "the corridors of time," but was a visible memorial around which focussed most edifying traditions of his sanctity, his unworldliness, and self-denial.

In Inishowen we find:-

1. Tobar Phadraig, or St Patrick's Well, in the townland of Carrowreagh, close by the historic Grainan of Aileach. Here Prince Owen was baptised by St. Patrick.

2. St. Maura's Holy Well at Fahan. Major Marshall caused an ornate brick covering to be built over the well.

3. The Holy Well in the Gap of Mamore, near Clonmany, is said to have been dedicated to St. Aigne, for whom Desert Aigne (Desertegney) is called.

4. "The Madman's Well" at Port á Doruis, near Inishowen Head.

5. St Adamnan's turus at Templemoyle, parish of Cloncha.

6 Cathal Dubh's three boiling wells at Strabreagy are three little bubbling springs on the Black Rock in Drumaville Townland.

7.There was a Holy Well with a station at the top of the field at the rere of Carrowmore N. School, but it has been closed.

8. Tobar Colmcille or St. Colmcille's Well at Binon is another Clonmany Well.

9. St Patrick's Well in Binon townland, not far from the site of the ancient monastery.

10. Tobar Muiris, or St. Maurice's Well, in the townland of Ardagh, at Western end of Ballyliffin strand.

11. Tobar no Sul, or the "Well of the Eyes" at the top of Slieve Snaght.

12. Tobar Patrick, near Three Trees, about a mile from Quigley's Point.

13. A Holy Well at Shroove, north of Moville, at the edge of the sea.

14. In Maghernaul townland in the Isle of Doagh in St. Briege's Well, frequented by pilgrims till about 1900.

15. On the hill of Cnoc a Loch, north of Malin, and very near Malin Head, is a small lake dedicated to St. Patrick, around which a turus is yet made. Adjoining this lake is Picture Hill, where the picture of a spotted horse and two monsters are seen on eastern slope of hill. St Patrick banished these out of the lake and killed them. Hence there is no water-horse in the lake now. So says tradition.

16. At Culdaff there is a Holy Well to St. Buadan.

17. Near Malin Head there is a Holy Well, covered at high tide. A "pattern" is held there on 15th August called "Malin Well Fair." Near it are the remains of an old conventional Church called Gorman Church built by Muirdhealach, a hermit who lived near by. Tober Muirdhealach, or St. Moriallagh's Well is more commonly known as the "Malin Well".

18. St. Colmcille's Well on the shore at Moville.

19. In the townland of Leitrim, parish of Culdaff, about eighty yards from Falmore N.S., is St. Ultan's Holy Well. It is not a well proper but a hollow in stream at the foot of a small waterfall about eight feet high. St. Ultan is believed to have resided here for a time.

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