Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

A fresh water spring surrounded by a pile of stones situated below the high tide mark on the E side of the Clonmany river. Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'Local tradition has it that St. Patrick, accompanied by his sister and her two sons, came to Clonmany and built Both Chonais at the southern side of Binion Hill. Reeves and W. J. Doherty erroneously locate this monastery in Culdaff parish. One of the sons built a church at Glenelly: their mother is buried at Both Chonais. The well is in Binion townland, not far from the site of the ancient monastery. The tide passes over the well, but when the tide ebbs the water in the well is fresh. It was formerly believed that if cattle were driven between the well and the shore at full tide it would render them immune from disease, and was also a cure for infertility. There is no turus now, but when per formed it began at the old church in Straid, and there were five stations between that and the well' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 158) ( Ó Muirgheasa No. 96). The precise location of a second well known as Tobar Colmcille or St. Colmcille's Well has not been identified (Ó Muirgheasa No. 95).

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.

Compiled by Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload/ revsion: 04 November 2011