Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

'St. Faned's Well', which is now almost filled in, consists of a stone-lined rectangular depression. It is situated in an area of fair pasture on a ledge of the S side overlooking the W end of Glencolumbkille valley. Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'There is a Tobar Fanaid in Killaned townland (Cill Fhanaid) in Glencolmcille, a stone's-throw from Cashel N. S. O'Donovan writes of it-" There was another chapel dedicated to St. Athnaid in the townland of Kilanaid but it is now level with the ground. A turns was performed there also. Does his name occur in the Calendar ? " It should be either Aedhnat, dau. of Raichen, 9th November, or Fiadhnat, 29th November and 4th January. St. Athnait's Cell and Roilig are near the well.' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 150). (Ó Muirgheasa No. 33)

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