Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Ritual site - holy well
An Ardaidh Bheag, County Donegal, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- An Ardaidh Bheag
- County
- Donegal
- Country
- Ireland
- Latest-edition OS map
- St. Columbkilles Well
- Coordinates
- 55.12370, -8.14590
- SMR number
- DG024-007----
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1881 "Ireland to Illustrate the Military Condition of the Country." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
This holy well is a stone-lined trough, rectangular in plan and measuring 1.25m by .5m and 0.75m deep. Behind it is a rough heap of stones at one end of which is a rough stone “altar”. Sited on sloping ground just above marshy land close to a stream to the S, which runs to the sea at Binanea Strand. Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'St. Colmcille's Holy Well at Arda beaga, near Gortahork. Stations used to be made on the 9th June. A half-perforated stone-hammer among the stones at the well is regarded with so much respect on account of its association with the well that no one would take it away' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 153). (Ó Muirgheasa No. 55).
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
Nearby in the register
- Burial groundunder 1 mi
- Bullaun stoneunder 1 mi
- Burial groundunder 1 mi
- Burial groundunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.