Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

This well dedicated to St. Finan is a natural feature formed by water, dripping onto a shelf of rock halfway down a cliff face and falling to the beach. Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'Turus Fionnain, in Er-ruaidh at Murroe south of Dunfanaghy, is made at a Holy Well on the very edge of the sea, where a fountain of fresh water flows from the living rock. Stations are made on the first Monday of every quarter, and also on the 15th August. Pilgrims make ten rounds of this well. According to Manus O'Donnell, Columcille caused the water to flow from the rock to quench St. Fionnan's thirst. It is called, however, Eas Fionnain, that is, Fionnan's cascade' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 153). (Ó Muirgheasa no. 57).

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/revision: 02 November 2011