Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Located towards the bottom of a S and E-facing slope. In the Ballagh river valley. Towards the bottom of an E-facing slope in the Ballagh river valley. Known as 'Tober Molaise' and described as a holy well dedicated to St Molaise of Devinsish, Co. Fermanagh, where cures were performed and pilgrims left a cairn of stones (Doherty 1986, 372-4). The rectangular well (dims (dims 1.4m NE-SW; 1.2m NW-SE) is enclosed in a well-house (ext. dims 2.23-2.36m NE-SW; 2.04m NW-SE) set into the slope (H to the eaves 0.9-1.35m) with a gables at NW and SE. it was probably constructed in the later twentieth century, and the roof is provided by four rows of slabs on either side of the apex and set in concrete. There is a round-headed entrance (Wth 0.63m; H 1.6m) in the SE gable with alcoves (Wth 0.31m; H 0.37m; D 0.3m) on either side in the outer face of the wall for offerings. The SE gable is surmounted by a modern metal cross, and the area outside the entrance is paved. An overflow channel leads to a W-E drain on the S side of the rectangular enclosure (dims c. 25m E-W; c. 15m N-S) defined by wire fences and lines of coniferous trees.

The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Leitrim' compiled by Michael J. Moore (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2003). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

See the attache view:

Date of revised upload: 3 July 2017

References

Doherty, C. 1986 St Maedoc and St Molaise. Journal of Cumann Seanchas Breifne (Breifne Historical Society) 6, 24, 363-74.