THE HOLY WELLS OF COUNTY DONEGAL
Holy Wells of Donegal
All over Donegal there are Holy Wells dedicated to different saints and many of whose waters are thought to be curative of various ailments.
Around the Holy Well you will often see things like rosary beads, maybe children's toys, and so on. These would 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 Holy Wells are many centuries old and often beside them you will find a Mass Rock, and too in later years many of our (Catholic) churches are built beside or at least near them.
Note: at most if not all Holy Wells you will see items left there. There can be Rosary beads, Holy medals, statues of saints, sometimes personal items such as hair ribbons, a rag torn from the owners clothing, a toy, and so on. These are left there either by a person who has received a cure to the ailment they visited the Holy Well for or can be an item belonging to a loved one who needs a cure but is unable to visit the Holy Well themselves. Obviously do not touch them, they are to be left where they are.
Around the Holy Well you will often see things like rosary beads, maybe children's toys, and so on. These would 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 Holy Wells are many centuries old and often beside them you will find a Mass Rock, and too in later years many of our (Catholic) churches are built beside or at least near them.
Note: at most if not all Holy Wells you will see items left there. There can be Rosary beads, Holy medals, statues of saints, sometimes personal items such as hair ribbons, a rag torn from the owners clothing, a toy, and so on. These are left there either by a person who has received a cure to the ailment they visited the Holy Well for or can be an item belonging to a loved one who needs a cure but is unable to visit the Holy Well themselves. Obviously do not touch them, they are to be left where they are.
BALLYSHANNON ~ Abbey Well (associated with St. Patrick and St. Colmcille)
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BRUCKLESS ~ St. Conal's Holy Well
This Holy Well is named after St. Conall (or Conal) who founded a monastery on Inishkeel, an island off Narin, County Donegal, in the 6th century. It is said he first went to Inishkeel as a punishment for killing his father and found himself exiled there and was ordered to stay there until he calmed down enough for a bird to build a nest in his hand. It took seven years of exile but apparently he did reach that state of calm.
According to some old writing on duchas.ie in earlier times: “When you are making St. Conaill's station you go round the well three times first and say five Our Father's and five Hail Mary's and the Creed. Then you go down an old lane to another field and you go round the field and say fifteen decades, after that you go round the eleven cairns which are there and say five Our Father's and five Hail Mary's at each of them, then you go round the altar which is in the same field and say five Our Father's and five Hail Mary's there again and then you go to the front of the altar and say prayers and after that you you go up on the altar and put your fingers into the track of St. Conaill's fingers and wish for anything you like. Also you put your back up against a stone and say prayers, and you leave anything you like on a table at the back of the altar and wish to leave your disease behind you.Then you go up to the bed under a big ledge of a rock and there is a big bank about thirty feet or more down below, you roll over three times in it and you go out on one side and in on the other.”
The nearby Catholic church of St. Joseph and St. Conall is named for him as are various other churches and buildings throughout County Donegal.
According to some old writing on duchas.ie in earlier times: “When you are making St. Conaill's station you go round the well three times first and say five Our Father's and five Hail Mary's and the Creed. Then you go down an old lane to another field and you go round the field and say fifteen decades, after that you go round the eleven cairns which are there and say five Our Father's and five Hail Mary's at each of them, then you go round the altar which is in the same field and say five Our Father's and five Hail Mary's there again and then you go to the front of the altar and say prayers and after that you you go up on the altar and put your fingers into the track of St. Conaill's fingers and wish for anything you like. Also you put your back up against a stone and say prayers, and you leave anything you like on a table at the back of the altar and wish to leave your disease behind you.Then you go up to the bed under a big ledge of a rock and there is a big bank about thirty feet or more down below, you roll over three times in it and you go out on one side and in on the other.”
The nearby Catholic church of St. Joseph and St. Conall is named for him as are various other churches and buildings throughout County Donegal.
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CLOGHAN ~ Well of the Angels
Well of the Angels, Cloughan
(Tobar na nAingeal) at Beanndubh, nr. Cloghan
At the Well of the Angels there are in fact two wells. Above the wells is a Mass Rock where masses would have been celebrated in Penal Times.
There is a story with these wells which is that when the Donegal Franciscan Friary in Donegal Town was destroyed, some of the Friars fled to the hills surrounding Donegal Town saying Mass in secret places. One such place was here at the Well of the Angels. The friar was called An Bráthair Ó Buí and he was saying Mass here to a group of people when the men on look out saw the approach of soldiers on horseback whose job it was to kill priests and Holy men caught saying Mass.
The friar, thinking his time was up, knelt at the well to say his last prayers surrounded by the congregation. As he prayed a mist fell over the people and a flock of Angels in shining white surrounded them rendering them invisible to the soldiers on horseback who passed right by them without seeing them. The friar blessed the wells and as part of the prayers at the Mass Rock beside the wells pilgrims say a prayer for the soul of An Bráthair Ó Buí.
Around the wells are seven stones which pilgrims touch to cure sores and other afflictions.
Old writing from duchas.ie: "There is a well near Cloghan called the "Angel's Well and many people go there and get cured.
Once upon a time a girl went there to be cured. She was cured all right but when she returned home her mother thought of taking her to Dublin Hospital as she said her daughter was not cured right at the well.
She was taken to Dublin but no doctor in Dublin could cure her so after this she was deformed again because she did not believe in the Angel's Well."
At the Well of the Angels there are in fact two wells. Above the wells is a Mass Rock where masses would have been celebrated in Penal Times.
There is a story with these wells which is that when the Donegal Franciscan Friary in Donegal Town was destroyed, some of the Friars fled to the hills surrounding Donegal Town saying Mass in secret places. One such place was here at the Well of the Angels. The friar was called An Bráthair Ó Buí and he was saying Mass here to a group of people when the men on look out saw the approach of soldiers on horseback whose job it was to kill priests and Holy men caught saying Mass.
The friar, thinking his time was up, knelt at the well to say his last prayers surrounded by the congregation. As he prayed a mist fell over the people and a flock of Angels in shining white surrounded them rendering them invisible to the soldiers on horseback who passed right by them without seeing them. The friar blessed the wells and as part of the prayers at the Mass Rock beside the wells pilgrims say a prayer for the soul of An Bráthair Ó Buí.
Around the wells are seven stones which pilgrims touch to cure sores and other afflictions.
Old writing from duchas.ie: "There is a well near Cloghan called the "Angel's Well and many people go there and get cured.
Once upon a time a girl went there to be cured. She was cured all right but when she returned home her mother thought of taking her to Dublin Hospital as she said her daughter was not cured right at the well.
She was taken to Dublin but no doctor in Dublin could cure her so after this she was deformed again because she did not believe in the Angel's Well."
DOOCHARY ~ St. Sarah's Holy Well
St. Sarah;s Well, Doochary
(Tobar Shorcha), Doochary
Outside the village of Doochary on the back road to Letterkenny is St. Sarah's Well. The water there is reputed to cure skin conditions and people can make a pilgramage there to either seek a cure for themselves or for a friend or family member. Should they seek the cure for someone other than themselves, they bring a piece of clothing or some other item belonging to the person for whom they are seeking a cure.
The statue at the well is of Kraljica Mira (Our Lady, Queen of Peace) and on the base reads "Kraljica Mira 24.VI.1981 Medjugorje" The date, 24th of June 1981, refers to the date that six young people in the village of Medjugorje in the south west region of Bosnia and Herzegovi saw an apparition of Our Lady at about six pm on that day. The names of these young people are Ivan Dragicevic, Mirjana Dragicevic, Ivan Ivankovic, Ivanka Ivankovic, Vicka Ivankovic, and Milka Pavlovic.
Outside the village of Doochary on the back road to Letterkenny is St. Sarah's Well. The water there is reputed to cure skin conditions and people can make a pilgramage there to either seek a cure for themselves or for a friend or family member. Should they seek the cure for someone other than themselves, they bring a piece of clothing or some other item belonging to the person for whom they are seeking a cure.
The statue at the well is of Kraljica Mira (Our Lady, Queen of Peace) and on the base reads "Kraljica Mira 24.VI.1981 Medjugorje" The date, 24th of June 1981, refers to the date that six young people in the village of Medjugorje in the south west region of Bosnia and Herzegovi saw an apparition of Our Lady at about six pm on that day. The names of these young people are Ivan Dragicevic, Mirjana Dragicevic, Ivan Ivankovic, Ivanka Ivankovic, Vicka Ivankovic, and Milka Pavlovic.
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FANAD: Carryblagh near Portsalon ~ St. Colmcille's Holy Well
St. Colmcille's Well and Cairn, Carryblagh, Fanad
This Holy Well sits at the roadside about 5 minutes drive from Portsalon on the Fanad peninsula of Donegal.
Prior to being renovated in 2010 this Well was surrounded by hazel and other bushes which were a place people visiting the Well could hang votives. It now has a large cairn of stones there as depicted in old photographs from the start of the 20th century. It is now enclosed in a stone structure and votives are left atop it. Set in the information stone there is a small box containing a statue of St. Colmcille.
The cures ascribed to this Well include toothache and aching limbs.
A stone plaque there reads: “SAINT COLMCILLE
Saint Colmcille was born in Gartan, Co. Donegal on 7th December 521 A.D. He was a descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages, High King of Ireland. Tradition has it around 550A.D. he was travelling in the Fanad are when he lost his prayer book. He came across a deer drinking out of this Well and his prayer book was impaled on the deers antlers. Delighted at having found it, he blessed the Well. The Well has been a place of pilgrimage ever since. In 563 A.D. he travelled to the Island of Iona, Scotland, where he established a famous monastery. He died in Iona on 9th June 597 A.D.”
Another stone reads:
“’THE TURAS’
ST. COLMCILLE’S WELL
(Carryblagh)
Founded circa 550 A.D.
Annual ‘Turas’ 9th – 17th June (inclusive)
TO BE DONE THREE TIMES
1st STATION - 5 Our Father’s, 5 Hail Mary’s, 5 Gloria’s
2nd STATION - 5 Our Father’s, 5 Hail Mary’s, 5 Gloria’s
3rd STATION - 7 Our Father’s, 7 Hail Mary’s, 7 Gloria’s
When stations completed, start saying Rosary at Well and walk around the cairn three times throwing a stone onto the cairn each time. If Rosary not completed finish it in front of Well.
SAINT COLMCILLE’S PRAYER
Almighty God and all merciful Father, who chose St. Colmcille as a witness to the Gospel, and as a messenger of peace. Through his intersection hear our prayer.
Bless every family. Help us all to grow in faith and strengthen the bonds of unity, peace and serenity.
Bless the children and the young and sustain us in our daily labours with your never ending love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Prior to being renovated in 2010 this Well was surrounded by hazel and other bushes which were a place people visiting the Well could hang votives. It now has a large cairn of stones there as depicted in old photographs from the start of the 20th century. It is now enclosed in a stone structure and votives are left atop it. Set in the information stone there is a small box containing a statue of St. Colmcille.
The cures ascribed to this Well include toothache and aching limbs.
A stone plaque there reads: “SAINT COLMCILLE
Saint Colmcille was born in Gartan, Co. Donegal on 7th December 521 A.D. He was a descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages, High King of Ireland. Tradition has it around 550A.D. he was travelling in the Fanad are when he lost his prayer book. He came across a deer drinking out of this Well and his prayer book was impaled on the deers antlers. Delighted at having found it, he blessed the Well. The Well has been a place of pilgrimage ever since. In 563 A.D. he travelled to the Island of Iona, Scotland, where he established a famous monastery. He died in Iona on 9th June 597 A.D.”
Another stone reads:
“’THE TURAS’
ST. COLMCILLE’S WELL
(Carryblagh)
Founded circa 550 A.D.
Annual ‘Turas’ 9th – 17th June (inclusive)
TO BE DONE THREE TIMES
1st STATION - 5 Our Father’s, 5 Hail Mary’s, 5 Gloria’s
2nd STATION - 5 Our Father’s, 5 Hail Mary’s, 5 Gloria’s
3rd STATION - 7 Our Father’s, 7 Hail Mary’s, 7 Gloria’s
When stations completed, start saying Rosary at Well and walk around the cairn three times throwing a stone onto the cairn each time. If Rosary not completed finish it in front of Well.
SAINT COLMCILLE’S PRAYER
Almighty God and all merciful Father, who chose St. Colmcille as a witness to the Gospel, and as a messenger of peace. Through his intersection hear our prayer.
Bless every family. Help us all to grow in faith and strengthen the bonds of unity, peace and serenity.
Bless the children and the young and sustain us in our daily labours with your never ending love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
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GRIANAN AILEACH (Carrowreagh) ~ St. Patrick's Holy Well
 St. Patrick's Holy Well
(Tobar Phadraig), Carrowreagh
Just behind the an Grianan Aileach ancient stone fort of Grianán of Aileach is the Holy Well of St. Patrick. To find it simply skirt around the fort on the left side as you approach it and down the hill behind it a little you will see a wooden cross which marks the Well. In Henry Morris’s 1938 survey it says that in the 5th century St. Patrick visited the site and it was here he baptised Prince Eoghan (Owen) which then lead to others being baptised too and like Prince Eoghan, giving up their previous worship of heathen gods. |
KILLYBEGS ~ St. Catherine's Holy Well
St. Catherine's Well, Killybegs
St. Catherine's Well, Killybegs ~ Feast Day 25th of November
Just at the western edge of the village of Killybegs, up a little hill is St. Catherine's Well. The well is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria (Egypt). We have done some research into this and it seems that the well was dedicated to St. Catherine by three monks who were washed ashore at Killybegs after a bad storm. The name Killybegs in Irish is ‘Na Cealla Beaga’, meaning ’small cells’ which refers to the small cells built by monks who onced lived in the area.
It is said that the monks prayed for their safety while at sea in a heavy storm and promised that they would build a well to St. Catherine wherever they landed should they be saved. And it is is Killybegs they landed in, hence the well and the fact that St. Catherine is the Patron Saint of Killybegs.
Above the well is the ruins of the 14th century Kit's Castle and the ruins of the 15th century Franciscan Third Order Foundation and graveyard. The gates at the entrance to the path up to St. Catherine's Well were donated by the Sharkey family in honour of their late mother, Peggy. She is the mother of locally born and highly acclaimed artist Kevin Sharkey.
The information board there reads:
"St. Catherine's Well. For centuries the people of Killybegs and its hinterland have shown devotion to St. Catherine of Alexandria by visiting and praying at this Well. Although there are many stories handed down, we do not know for certain when it was started. Some say as early as the 6th century.
People who come here regularly make the Station to St. Catherine in various forms. These people are encouraged to continue on as they have been taught from childhood.
For those who are not familiar with the Station, the following is one of the traditional forms, with the prayers to be said.
Begin by kneeling and saying the following:-
(i) One Our Father, one Hail Mary, one Gloria for those who opened the Well.
(ii) One Our Father, one Hail Mary, one Gloria in honour of St. Catherine.
(iii) Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, one Gloria for the priests who blessed the Well.
(iv) Begin with the Rosary: say the Creed an Our Father, three Hail Marys and a Gloria.
Take three sips of water from the Well.
Go around the Well three times, saying a decade of the Rosary each time.
Kneel and finish the Rosary."
Old writing from Duchas.ie: "“Among the many famous holy wells in Ireland is St. Catherine's in Killybegs. It is situated about half a mile from the town. It is a large spring well with a stone wall around it. On November 25th the feast of St. Catherine, numbers from all parts of Donegal assemble there to pray for themselves, sick people etc. The following tells of how the well originated.
Long ago some Spanish sailors were out at sea. A fierce storm having arose they despaired of ever reaching dry land safely. They earnestly to St. Catherine promising her if they landed alive on shore wheresoever it would be they would build a well in her honour. They landed in Killybegs and fulfilled their promise. The minister who lived near became aware that a holy well was opened in his territory and flew into a rage. He immediately ordered it to be filled in. This being done he felt contented and retired for the night. Next morning going into his parlour he stared to see it filled with water. After considering how it came he came to the conclusion that God had punished him for his ill-deed. He again had the well opened whereupon the water disappeared.”
Just at the western edge of the village of Killybegs, up a little hill is St. Catherine's Well. The well is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria (Egypt). We have done some research into this and it seems that the well was dedicated to St. Catherine by three monks who were washed ashore at Killybegs after a bad storm. The name Killybegs in Irish is ‘Na Cealla Beaga’, meaning ’small cells’ which refers to the small cells built by monks who onced lived in the area.
It is said that the monks prayed for their safety while at sea in a heavy storm and promised that they would build a well to St. Catherine wherever they landed should they be saved. And it is is Killybegs they landed in, hence the well and the fact that St. Catherine is the Patron Saint of Killybegs.
Above the well is the ruins of the 14th century Kit's Castle and the ruins of the 15th century Franciscan Third Order Foundation and graveyard. The gates at the entrance to the path up to St. Catherine's Well were donated by the Sharkey family in honour of their late mother, Peggy. She is the mother of locally born and highly acclaimed artist Kevin Sharkey.
The information board there reads:
"St. Catherine's Well. For centuries the people of Killybegs and its hinterland have shown devotion to St. Catherine of Alexandria by visiting and praying at this Well. Although there are many stories handed down, we do not know for certain when it was started. Some say as early as the 6th century.
People who come here regularly make the Station to St. Catherine in various forms. These people are encouraged to continue on as they have been taught from childhood.
For those who are not familiar with the Station, the following is one of the traditional forms, with the prayers to be said.
Begin by kneeling and saying the following:-
(i) One Our Father, one Hail Mary, one Gloria for those who opened the Well.
(ii) One Our Father, one Hail Mary, one Gloria in honour of St. Catherine.
(iii) Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, one Gloria for the priests who blessed the Well.
(iv) Begin with the Rosary: say the Creed an Our Father, three Hail Marys and a Gloria.
Take three sips of water from the Well.
Go around the Well three times, saying a decade of the Rosary each time.
Kneel and finish the Rosary."
Old writing from Duchas.ie: "“Among the many famous holy wells in Ireland is St. Catherine's in Killybegs. It is situated about half a mile from the town. It is a large spring well with a stone wall around it. On November 25th the feast of St. Catherine, numbers from all parts of Donegal assemble there to pray for themselves, sick people etc. The following tells of how the well originated.
Long ago some Spanish sailors were out at sea. A fierce storm having arose they despaired of ever reaching dry land safely. They earnestly to St. Catherine promising her if they landed alive on shore wheresoever it would be they would build a well in her honour. They landed in Killybegs and fulfilled their promise. The minister who lived near became aware that a holy well was opened in his territory and flew into a rage. He immediately ordered it to be filled in. This being done he felt contented and retired for the night. Next morning going into his parlour he stared to see it filled with water. After considering how it came he came to the conclusion that God had punished him for his ill-deed. He again had the well opened whereupon the water disappeared.”
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MAMORE GAP/GAP OF MAMORE, INISHOWEN ~ St. Eigne's Holy Well
This well is at the top of Mamore Gap on the Inishowen peninsula of Donegal. The views from the well are breathtaking. The stone at the well says St. Eigne was probably one of the Céile Dé who were probably Druids and who saw the coming of The Christ Consciousness and were preaching in Ireland and Scotland long before the first missionaries. There is reference to the Céile Dé in the Annals of the Four Masters in 806AD (The Annals of the Four Masters was written by four monks in Donegal Town and there is an obelisk in the town centre there commemorating them).
The stone at the well reads: "St. Eigne's Well. The well of St. Eigne from whom the adjoining Desertegney takes it's name. He was probably one of the Céile Dé. There has been a pilgrimage to this well for centuries."
Beside the well there is a Grotto to Our Lady.
The stone at the well reads: "St. Eigne's Well. The well of St. Eigne from whom the adjoining Desertegney takes it's name. He was probably one of the Céile Dé. There has been a pilgrimage to this well for centuries."
Beside the well there is a Grotto to Our Lady.
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TERMON (Barnes) ~ St. Eithne's Holy Well
St. Eithne's Well
St. Eithne is probably best known as the mother of the Donegal saint, St. Columba (St. Colmcille). The Holy Well dedicated to her can be found at Barnes, near Termon. It is off the main road and along a small side road and is on private property. On the day we visited the family were more than happy to allow access but please do remember it is private property so ask permission.
From Colmcille.net:
"Eithne’s Dream
Eithne was a young Irish noble-woman. In the winter of 521, she was pregnant with her first child – a secret she was treasuring in her heart. As a lady of leisure she would sit beside the warm hearth sewing or weaving as was her delight.
One evening Eithne fell asleep and dreamt of a beautiful woollen shawl smelling of lambs wool and sweet milk. Against her face it felt as soft and warm as thistledown.
The folds of the cloak were the green machair, flecked with the colours of clover and trefoil, speedwell and daisy. The shawl billowed so she tried to pull it closer but instead it was slipping further away! It unfurled in the wind and took off beyond her reach over the hills and even across the ocean.
Eithne jolted awake, stunned, devastated, bereft.
She knew immediately what this dream told her. It is every mother’s dilemma.
Her first-born son would be eased away from her by the kindly ministrations of the aid-woman. Then, at five years old, he would go to a place of learning alongside his god-father, such was the custom. Later, Colmcille would fulfil a great destiny as an adult, but far away from her."
From Catholic.org:
"St. Eithne, styled "of the golden hair", is commemorated in the Irish martyrologies under the 11th of January. She was daughter of Leoghaire, Ard-Righ, or Hy-Sovereign of Ireland at the time of St. Patrick's first visit, as a missionary, to the court of Tara (433). According to the prevailing custom of those days the children of kings and princes were frequently placed, at an early age, in charge of the family of some of the chieftains who coveted the honour of guardianship of the royal offspring. Hence it was assumed that Eithne and her younger sister were fostered close to Cruachan Magh Ai, the dwelling-place, or royal residence, of the Gaelic kings of Connaught. However the brief story of the saint's life centres in the one scene, which took place beside the brook of Clebach, County Roscommon, and is described in the "Acts" of the national apostle of Ireland.
On his way to the royal abode, during his mission to the western province, it is told that St. Patrick and his disciples camped one evening close to the Well of Clebach. On the following day the clerics rose at dawn to chant the Divine Office, and prepare for the mystic sacrifice. It would appear that the two royal princesses were accustomed to visit the same fountain in the early morn, and on this occasion were surprised at the appearance of the strange company who were in possession of the place. They were not, however, dismayed, and Eithne, the elder of the sisters, accosted Patrick and his companions, asking who they were and whence they came. Whereupon the apostle said -- "It were better for you to confess your faith in our true God than ask about our race." Then, at their request, St. Patrick unfolded to them the doctrines of Christianity , which, under the influence of Divine grace, they accepted with heart and soul. Having baptized them, the saint placed on their brows the veil of virginity.
Then, it is related, Eithne and her sister asked "to see the face of Christ, the Son of the true God ", but Patrick said: "You cannot see the face of Christ unless you taste death, and receive the Sacrifice ". Whereupon they besought him to give them the Sacrifice that they might see their Spouse, the Son of God. So, by the brink of the fountain, the Sacrifice was offered, and having received their First Communion, Eithne and her sister, in an ecstasy of rapture, swooned away and died. When the days of mourning were ended both were laid side by side, close by the scene of their death, where afterwards a church was raised over the grave."
From Colmcille.net:
"Eithne’s Dream
Eithne was a young Irish noble-woman. In the winter of 521, she was pregnant with her first child – a secret she was treasuring in her heart. As a lady of leisure she would sit beside the warm hearth sewing or weaving as was her delight.
One evening Eithne fell asleep and dreamt of a beautiful woollen shawl smelling of lambs wool and sweet milk. Against her face it felt as soft and warm as thistledown.
The folds of the cloak were the green machair, flecked with the colours of clover and trefoil, speedwell and daisy. The shawl billowed so she tried to pull it closer but instead it was slipping further away! It unfurled in the wind and took off beyond her reach over the hills and even across the ocean.
Eithne jolted awake, stunned, devastated, bereft.
She knew immediately what this dream told her. It is every mother’s dilemma.
Her first-born son would be eased away from her by the kindly ministrations of the aid-woman. Then, at five years old, he would go to a place of learning alongside his god-father, such was the custom. Later, Colmcille would fulfil a great destiny as an adult, but far away from her."
From Catholic.org:
"St. Eithne, styled "of the golden hair", is commemorated in the Irish martyrologies under the 11th of January. She was daughter of Leoghaire, Ard-Righ, or Hy-Sovereign of Ireland at the time of St. Patrick's first visit, as a missionary, to the court of Tara (433). According to the prevailing custom of those days the children of kings and princes were frequently placed, at an early age, in charge of the family of some of the chieftains who coveted the honour of guardianship of the royal offspring. Hence it was assumed that Eithne and her younger sister were fostered close to Cruachan Magh Ai, the dwelling-place, or royal residence, of the Gaelic kings of Connaught. However the brief story of the saint's life centres in the one scene, which took place beside the brook of Clebach, County Roscommon, and is described in the "Acts" of the national apostle of Ireland.
On his way to the royal abode, during his mission to the western province, it is told that St. Patrick and his disciples camped one evening close to the Well of Clebach. On the following day the clerics rose at dawn to chant the Divine Office, and prepare for the mystic sacrifice. It would appear that the two royal princesses were accustomed to visit the same fountain in the early morn, and on this occasion were surprised at the appearance of the strange company who were in possession of the place. They were not, however, dismayed, and Eithne, the elder of the sisters, accosted Patrick and his companions, asking who they were and whence they came. Whereupon the apostle said -- "It were better for you to confess your faith in our true God than ask about our race." Then, at their request, St. Patrick unfolded to them the doctrines of Christianity , which, under the influence of Divine grace, they accepted with heart and soul. Having baptized them, the saint placed on their brows the veil of virginity.
Then, it is related, Eithne and her sister asked "to see the face of Christ, the Son of the true God ", but Patrick said: "You cannot see the face of Christ unless you taste death, and receive the Sacrifice ". Whereupon they besought him to give them the Sacrifice that they might see their Spouse, the Son of God. So, by the brink of the fountain, the Sacrifice was offered, and having received their First Communion, Eithne and her sister, in an ecstasy of rapture, swooned away and died. When the days of mourning were ended both were laid side by side, close by the scene of their death, where afterwards a church was raised over the grave."
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TERMON, Doon Well
Doon Well
Near the village of Termon is Doon Well which is one of the most visited Holy Wells in County Donegal. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have visted this well which dates back hundreds of years. It is thought that a holy man, Lector O'Friel founded the well in the fifteenth century and it is also thought that he is buried in nearby Kilmacrennan in the old graveyard there. He was much venerated in the area because of his great ability to cure many ailments. Towards the end of his life the people became scared at the thought of losing him. But Fr. Friel told them not to worry as he would bless the well (Doon Well) and the waters of that well would when drank or applied, carry on his prayers for cures.
There are no set dates to visit the well as there are with some others. People go there whenever they want and it is rare that one can visit it and not find people there. There is however a very large gathering there each New Years Eve with people coming from all over to pray at the well.
The stone on top of the well reads: "Doon Well PRAYERS OF STATION. Repeat Our Father and Hail Mary five times and Apostles Creed for your intentions. Repeat same for each bottle of water. Our Father and Hail Mary for Father Friel who found it. Our FAther and Hail Mary for Father Gallagher who blessed it. Our Father and Hail Mary for the person who put the shelter around it. NB These prayers must be recited with bared feet."
On the hill above the well there is a Mass Rock and on the other hill there is the Rock of Doon (Caraig an Duin) where the O'Donnell chieftans held their civil ceremony of inauguration for each new chieftan. This followed the religious ceremony which would have taken place in Kilmacrennan.
There are no set dates to visit the well as there are with some others. People go there whenever they want and it is rare that one can visit it and not find people there. There is however a very large gathering there each New Years Eve with people coming from all over to pray at the well.
The stone on top of the well reads: "Doon Well PRAYERS OF STATION. Repeat Our Father and Hail Mary five times and Apostles Creed for your intentions. Repeat same for each bottle of water. Our Father and Hail Mary for Father Friel who found it. Our FAther and Hail Mary for Father Gallagher who blessed it. Our Father and Hail Mary for the person who put the shelter around it. NB These prayers must be recited with bared feet."
On the hill above the well there is a Mass Rock and on the other hill there is the Rock of Doon (Caraig an Duin) where the O'Donnell chieftans held their civil ceremony of inauguration for each new chieftan. This followed the religious ceremony which would have taken place in Kilmacrennan.
If you know of a Holy Well in Donegal please let us know via the contact link below here and we will do our best to get there to photograph it and find out more about.