NOTE: This page is currently being reconstructed and updated. However, you can click on the photos on this new page to read about that particular Holy Well.
THE HOLY WELLS OF DONEGAL
St. Bridget's Holy Well on the shores of Lough Derg, County Donegal
All over County Donegal there are Holy Wells dedicated to different saints and many of whose waters are thought to be curative of various ailments. Some of our Holy Wells are simply named for the cure they are attributed to have and others are much newer and usually named after a local Priest who blessed them.
Around many of the Holy Wells you will often see ‘votives’ which are things left there by the person who visited the Holy Well. They can be things like rosary beads, Holy medals, sometimes children's toys, statues of saints and so on. These belong to the person for whom the prayers are being said at the Holy Well. Often if there are bushes or trees nearby you will see bits of rag tied onto their branches and it is thought that as the rag rotted in the elements, the illness of the person being prayed for will vanish likewise. These items are called votives.
The majority of the Holy Wells of Donegal are many centuries old having their roots in paganism before Christianity came to Ireland. Once Christianised Catholics held them dear and went there to pray so often you will find nearby a Mass Rock, and too, in later years, the ruins of a Catholic church.
We are in the process of trying to visit all of the Holy Wells of Donegal to photograph them and find out more about them so we will be adding to this page from time to time with newly discovered or visited Holy Wells. You can keep up with our hunt for Holy Wells on our blog page.
PLEASE NOTE when visiting Holy Wells:
~ Never touch the votives left at these Holy Wells as they were very important to the person who left them and prayed for their loved one there.
~ Many of the Holy Wells of Donegal are on private land and you should ask locally for permission to visit those.
~ Take great care at some locations as the ground can be very rough and dangerous. Some Holy Wells are very close to the sea or loughs or rivers so care must be taken as the area could be very slippery underfoot.
~ Although local tradition may say that the water at a particular Holy Well is clear, DO NOT drink it as we cannot confirm that it is safe to do so.
And finally, if you take photographs of yourself when visiting any of Donegal's Holy Wells email them to us as we may have a section for such photos at a later stage here.
Scroll down to view some of the Holy Wells we have visited.
Around many of the Holy Wells you will often see ‘votives’ which are things left there by the person who visited the Holy Well. They can be things like rosary beads, Holy medals, sometimes children's toys, statues of saints and so on. These belong to the person for whom the prayers are being said at the Holy Well. Often if there are bushes or trees nearby you will see bits of rag tied onto their branches and it is thought that as the rag rotted in the elements, the illness of the person being prayed for will vanish likewise. These items are called votives.
The majority of the Holy Wells of Donegal are many centuries old having their roots in paganism before Christianity came to Ireland. Once Christianised Catholics held them dear and went there to pray so often you will find nearby a Mass Rock, and too, in later years, the ruins of a Catholic church.
We are in the process of trying to visit all of the Holy Wells of Donegal to photograph them and find out more about them so we will be adding to this page from time to time with newly discovered or visited Holy Wells. You can keep up with our hunt for Holy Wells on our blog page.
PLEASE NOTE when visiting Holy Wells:
~ Never touch the votives left at these Holy Wells as they were very important to the person who left them and prayed for their loved one there.
~ Many of the Holy Wells of Donegal are on private land and you should ask locally for permission to visit those.
~ Take great care at some locations as the ground can be very rough and dangerous. Some Holy Wells are very close to the sea or loughs or rivers so care must be taken as the area could be very slippery underfoot.
~ Although local tradition may say that the water at a particular Holy Well is clear, DO NOT drink it as we cannot confirm that it is safe to do so.
And finally, if you take photographs of yourself when visiting any of Donegal's Holy Wells email them to us as we may have a section for such photos at a later stage here.
Scroll down to view some of the Holy Wells we have visited.
HOLY WELLS OF DONEGAL ~ BLOG POSTS
As I travel around County Donegal seeking out Holy Wells to photograph and gather information on, I sometimes get a chance to write a blog post on a trip.
Here are some you may enjoy reading.
~ IN SEARCH OF THE HOLY WELLS OF DONEGAL
~ HOLY WELLS OF DONEGAL: UPDATE (June 2022)
~ LOCAL HELP IS KEY
~ A DONEGAL MIRACLE?
~ A STRANGE PHENOMENON
~
Here are some you may enjoy reading.
~ IN SEARCH OF THE HOLY WELLS OF DONEGAL
~ HOLY WELLS OF DONEGAL: UPDATE (June 2022)
~ LOCAL HELP IS KEY
~ A DONEGAL MIRACLE?
~ A STRANGE PHENOMENON
~
HOLY WELLS OF DONEGAL FACEBOOK PAGE
Please feel free to visit our dedicated HOLY WELLS OF DONEGAL facebook page.
(Our WeLoveDonegal facebook page is called WE LOVE DONEGAL_OFFICIAL ).
(Our WeLoveDonegal facebook page is called WE LOVE DONEGAL_OFFICIAL ).
THE HOLY WELLS OF DONEGAL (Listed by location)
Click on the photograph below to read about any particular Holy Well and toiview more photographs it and a location map.
BRUCKLESS St. Conall's Well
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DOOCHARY St. Sarah's Well
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FANAD, Carryblagh St. Colmcille's Well
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INISHOWEN Grianan St Patrick's Well
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TERMON: Doon Well
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