Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
- Recorded size 0.8m x 0.6m
What to look for
- Steps down
- Pattern day
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
Situated within a hollow at the base of a steep N-facing ridge are two adjoining holy wells dedicated to St. Patrick and St. Brigid respectively, within a small, square walled enclosure (dim. 11m). Patterns are still held here annually on June 29th.
Full archaeological record 177 words
Situated within a hollow at the base of a steep N-facing ridge are two adjoining holy wells dedicated to St. Patrick and St. Brigid respectively, within a small, square walled enclosure (dim. 11m). Patterns are still held here annually on June 29th. The larger well is dedicated to St. Patrick (SL019-151001-). Appended to its W side is this well, which according to tradition is dedicated to 'St. Brigid's'. It comprises a small subrectangular pool (dims. 0.8m x 0.6m) defined on S side by a semicircular stone wall and roofed by a massive slab (dims. 1.9m x 1.4m) known as 'St. Brigid's Flag' which bears numerous crudely inscribed crosses (SL019-151003-). A series of stone steps on the N side leads down to the water level. Built into the enclosure wall, a short distance SW of the wells, is a crucifixion plaque (SL019-151004-). Also within the enclosure is a plain rectangular stone altar (SL019-151005-). A third well, which was used by penitents for washing their feet before and after undertaking the patterns, is located 1.7m N of the enclosure.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Patrick F. O'Donovan · Updated 19 January 2011. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
Patterns are still held here annually on June 29th.
Appended to its W side is this well, which according to tradition is dedicated to 'St. Brigid's'.
More holy wells nearby
Tobermurro
Ritual site - holy well · Cooney · Sligo · 7.3 km away
St Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Scardan Beg · Sligo · 10.0 km away
Toberbride
Ritual site - holy well · Toberbride · Sligo · 12 km away

Tobernalt Well
Ritual site - holy well · Aghamore Near · Sligo · 14 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballygilgan · Sligo · 17 km away
Tober Bride
Ritual site - holy well · Abbeyville Or Ardlaherty · Sligo · 20 km away
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Around St Brigid's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Cabragh Wedge TombMegalithic tomb · 4.1 km
- Kildalough ChurchAncient church · 6.4 km
- Queen Maeves Tomb KnocknareaMegalithic tomb · 7.7 km
- Knocknarea passage tombsMegalithic tomb · 7.8 km
- Saint Fechin's ChurchAncient church · 9.4 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 117 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 16 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 abbeys & friariesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 stone circleArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Sligo WayLong Distance Waymarked Way · 78.6 km · nearest point 3.5 km
- Killaspugbrone LoopWalking Trail · 7.2 km · nearest point 7.4 km
- Queen Maeve Trail KnocknareaWalking Trail · 7.8 km · nearest point 7.5 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Coolaney MTB Forest ParkForests · 2.9 km
- Coolaney MTB TrailsForests · 4.1 km
- Dunmoran BeachBeaches · 7.5 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- Rosses Point BeachBeaches · 12 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- Easkey Bog Nature ReserveNature reserves · 10 km
- Ballygilgan, Lissadell Nature ReserveNature reserves · 16 km
- SligoWalled towns · 14 km
- Schoolhouse at AnnaghmoreHistoric stays · 9.7 km
- Temple HouseHistoric stays · 12 km
Other attractions nearby
- Culleenamore MiddensAbbeys and Monastery · 6.5 km
- Carraig ClimbingWalking · 7.2 km
- Strandhill BeachNatural Landscape · 7.3 km
- Dunmoran StrandBeach · 7.5 km
What's on nearby
- Broadway and Beyond2026-11-11 · 13 km
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