Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

A stone-built, flag-covered well with a small basinstone .5m long and 0.25m wide set beside it. It is known as an 'Angelus Well' and is situated at the base of a small grassy knoll. Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'Tobar na n-Aingeal, or "The Well of the Angels", is in Tondubh, near Ballykerrigan. Stations are still made there on May Eve, which suggests a pagan origin. There is a tradition that a priest hunted in the penal days made for this well, and on reaching it began to make the Stations to the angels. Soon he was enveloped in a thick fog, which utterly baffled his pursuers' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 155). (Ó Muirgheasa No. 77)

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: 04 November 2011