Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Marked 'St. Connell's Well' on the 2nd and 3rd editions of the OS 6-inch maps. It was not possible to locate a specific feature. There are many water-filled depressions in the bedrock here close to the foreshore on the N side of Inishkeel Island. Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'St. Conall's Well and the Blessed Virgin's Well (DG064-002----) are two Holy Wells on Inniskeel Island, both embraced in the turus. St, Conall's day is 22nd May, from which date until the 12th September the stations may be made. The " Bearnan Conall" or Gapped Bell of St. Conall was always brought to the island for the stations, and the kissing of this venerable relic of the founder was an essential part of the station. The bell came down in the Gearan family (now, alas, anglicised Sharpe), who were no doubt the erenachs or stewards of the monastery. Eventually it came into the possession of a family of the Breslins, who not having the traditional attachment to the relic, sold it about sixty or seventy years ago to the Nesbitts of Woodhill. It is now in the British Museum. It is said that all the cattle and sheep Breslin bought with the price of the bell died. St. Conall, it is believed, still visits the island every year, on the 1st June. Both St. Conall and Dallan Forgall are buried in the same grave on the island' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 151). (Ó Muirgheasa no. 39)

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: 03 November 2011