Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Can you visit?
- No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
- Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
History and description
In a marshy hollow, on the lower NE-facing slope of the Ox Mountains and just above Lough Talt River. This well is evident as a natural spring which forms a stream.
Full archaeological record 130 words
In a marshy hollow, on the lower NE-facing slope of the Ox Mountains and just above Lough Talt River. This well is evident as a natural spring which forms a stream. There is no evidence of recent veneration here. In 1942-4 it was recorded that people prayed at the well 'asking St. Barbara to intercede for them in obtaining their request on visiting St. Attracta's well' after which they bless themselves with water from the well (ITA). Wood-Martin (1892, 358) noted that the 'stations' here were generally performed about the same date as those at St Attracta's well (SL036-009---) while O'Rorke ([1889], vol. 2, 152) states that it is supposed to have got its name from some companion of St Attracta. St. Attracta's well (SL036-009----) lies c. 190m to SE.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 18 January 2008 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
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Around St Barbara's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Carrowreagh Court TombMegalithic tomb · 2.9 km
- Banada PrioryAbbey or friary · 6.6 km
- Carrowcrom Wedge TombMegalithic tomb · 9.8 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 53 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Sligo WayLong Distance Waymarked Way · 78.6 km · nearest point 2.6 km
- Glen Loop - BunnyconnellanWalking Trail · 9.2 km · nearest point 4.3 km
- Drumsheen Loop - BunnyconnellanWalking Trail · 7.8 km · nearest point 5.7 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Easkey Bog Nature ReserveNature reserves · 15 km
- Temple HouseHistoric stays · 21 km
- Schoolhouse at AnnaghmoreHistoric stays · 25 km
Other attractions nearby
- Wild Wet AdventuresWalking · 12 km
- Hennigan's Heritage CentreMuseums and Attraction · 12 km
What's on nearby
- Travelling Banner Exhibition | The Life & Works of WB Yeats2026-11-26 · 11 km · free
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