Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Tobar Muireadagh a circular pool, 1.75m in diameter, in the rocks along the shore. (Ó Muirgheasa No. 104)

The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated.

Described by O Muirgheasa as ' 'To the east of Gorman Church, called also "the Well Church," near Malin Head, there is a Holy Well, covered at high tide. A "pattern" is held here on 15th August called "Malin Well Fair", with tents and drinking, but no praying is done there now, an index it is to be feared of our modern degeneration. The oldest inhabitants say that formerly the turus was made on May Eve, and Mid-Summer Eve, both suggesting that it was a Pre-Christian resort. "Magh Tochair," in his book, Inishowen, says the well is a natural basin formed in the rock, and that it "is a favourite bathing place, and invalids resort to it for the recovery of their health." It is said to have been blessed by a saint of the olden time, and several wonderful stories are told of the cures effected by its waters. Near it are the remains of an old conventual church, built according to tradition by one St. Maher. But this is an error. I got the name from local tradition as Muridhealach: he was a hermit who lived near by, about whom several stories are still related. And Michael O'Clery, in the Martyrology of Donegal, under date 3rd November, says : "We find a Muirdeaghair, son of Cuanna, of the race of Irial. It is he that is called Muirdealach at the present day, and in Inis Eoghain his church and his holiday are." However, at the present day no one remembers having ever seen a pilgrimage to this well on this date. The season of the year was against its popularity, but it may be that the 3rd November was never more than a Church festival, and that with the people the obervance of the turus on May and Mid-Summer Eves had come down from time immemorial. Tobar Muirdhealach, or St. Moriallagh's Well, is more commonly known now as the "Malin Well". The Rev. Edward Chichester, in his Statistical Account of the Parish of Cloncha (1814) makes reference to it, and gives the name of the patron as "Saint Moriallagh." He also refers to patterns being held there on St. John's Eve and the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, which developed into discreditable orgies, and which the then Catholic clergy were endeavouring to discourage and prevent.' (O Muirgheasa 1936, 160-1).

Date of upload: 22 September 2008