Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Hugh MacBrick's Church (DG090-004001-): Situated at the edge of a narrow ridge of Slieve League. Some 3m SW of the church are the collapsed remains of a beehive structure (DG090-004002-), partly built into the slope of the mountain; the entrance is on the E. Three 'Holy Wells' (DG090-004003-; DG090-004005-; DG090-004006-) are noted on the OS 6-inch map near the church. Approximately 20m N of the church is a cross-inscribed pillar stone (DG090-004004-) a possible stone cross (DG090-004007-) rising from a possible leacht (DG090-004008-) located immediately to the W of a holy well (DG090-004006-). This holy well (DG090-004005-) is 28m to the SE and a second holy well (DG090-004003-) is 13m to the S. All that survives of this well is a natural spring well which has no surviving stone surround. Approximately 26 cairns (penitential stations), three of which may be the remains of hut sites, are strung along both edges of the narrow ridge of Slieve League. (Ó Muirgheasa, Nos. 27 and 28.) Described by O'Muirgheasa as 'The Holy Well of Hugh Mac Bric near the summit of Sliabh Liag. The "solemn pilgrimage" here has ceased to be. The 10th November, the Saint's festival, was an unsuitable season for the performance of a pilgrimage on an exposed mountain, and may partially account for its decay. Hugh, who was a bishop, died in 588, and is said to be buried along with Bishop Assicus of Elphin, at Racoo, near Ballintra. A note in the Martyrology of Donegal gives his descent - Aodh the son of Bric, the son of Cormac, the son of Cremthann, the son of Fiacha, was born in Cillair of Meath. Individuals still (1937) perform a turus at Tobar Aodh' 'ac Bricne. In September 1909 over 2,000 people led by the local clergy solemnly performed the turas, and a local poet celebrated the event in an Irish poem which he published in the Derry Journal ' (O Muirgheasa 1936, 149, 247). (O Muirgheasa No. 27)

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload/revision: 05 July 2010