Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Ritual site - holy well
Málainn Bhig, County Donegal, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Málainn Bhig
- County
- Donegal
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- NULL
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Coordinates
- 54.65756, -8.74975
- SMR number
- DG089-024----
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, The New York Public LibraryDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1702 "A chart of the NORTH-WEST coast of IRELAND from LOUGH SWILLY to SLYNE HEAD" (Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, The New York Public Library).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
In rough, heather covered grazing land, on the Sw facing slope of Leahan Mountain with good view of Rathlin O'Birne Island to the west. According to local information this stone lined circular well (diam. 0.6m) was dedicated to St. Assicus and was known locally as St. Assicus's Well. Described by O'Muirgheasa as 'On the west or Malinbeg side of Sliabh Laig, it is said the remains of the walls of the house or church of St. Assicus of Elphin are still to be seen, and nearby a Holy Well bearing his name, but there is no turas performed there now. Assicus was made bishop by St. Patrick and placed at Elphin, but to atone for some supposed fault, or perhaps through his dislike for the Elphin people, he is said to have spent the end of his life as a hermit on this mountain. He is buried at Rathcoo, near Ballintra.' (O Muirgheasa 1936, 149-50). (O Muirgheasa No. 28)
Nearby in the register
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.