Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Ritual site - holy well
An Dumhaigh (tc Leitir Mhic An Bhaird), County Donegal, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- An Dumhaigh (tc Leitir Mhic An Bhaird)
- County
- Donegal
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- SMR number
- DG065-018----
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Unlocated holy well within the townland of Dooey, the precise location of which has not been identified. Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'There is a very remarkable well in Dooey (near Lettermacaward), connected by tradition with St. Connell's first visit to these parts." My authority for this is Dr. Maguire's Hist. of the Diocese of Raphoe, I, p. 24I. Whether stations are still performed at it or not, I know not' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 151). According to the History of the Diocese of Raphoe there was 'a remarkable well in Dooey, connected by tradition with St. Conal's first visit to these parts. he had travelled a long distance in search of a site for a monastery, and having slept soundly, after a refreshing drink from this well, he awoke to find a seagull's egg in his outstretched hand. Then raising his eyes, he discerned the gull hovering over him, and slowly directing her flight to Inniskeel, whether he followed, and was rewarded for his pains by the concession of a generous grant of land for his contemplated monastery' (Maguire 1920, 241). (Ó Muirgheasa No. 42)
Compiled by Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload/revision : 04 November 2011