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
'St. Faned's Well', which is now almost filled in, consists of a stone-lined rectangular depression. It is situated in an area of fair pasture on a ledge of the S side overlooking the W end of Glencolumbkille valley.
Full archaeological record 137 words
'St. Faned's Well', which is now almost filled in, consists of a stone-lined rectangular depression. It is situated in an area of fair pasture on a ledge of the S side overlooking the W end of Glencolumbkille valley. Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'There is a Tobar Fanaid in Killaned townland (Cill Fhanaid) in Glencolmcille, a stone's-throw from Cashel N. S. O'Donovan writes of it-" There was another chapel dedicated to St. Athnaid in the townland of Kilanaid but it is now level with the ground. A turns was performed there also. Does his name occur in the Calendar ? " It should be either Aedhnat, dau. of Raichen, 9th November, or Fiadhnat, 29th November and 4th January. St. Athnait's Cell and Roilig are near the well.' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 150). (Ó Muirgheasa No. 33)
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated · Updated 03 November 2011. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
More holy wells nearby
Tobernamanna
Ritual site - holy well · Rann Na Cille · Donegal · 11 km away
Tobermurry
Ritual site - holy well · Cill Charthaigh · Donegal · 12 km away
St Catherine's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Glebe (Killybegs Ed) · Donegal · 21 km away
Priest Boyle's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ionascail · Donegal · 24 km away
Visitors' notes
Badges are opinions of visitors - not verified facts. One vote per badge and visitor; no account needed.
Best time to visit
What's missing on this page?
Share a tip to find it
Share a local tradition or story
Suggest a correction
Suggest the right map location
Report a duplicate page
Ask a question
Do not include personal data. See our privacy notice.
Around St. Faned's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Megalithic tombs Dg. 91, Malin MoreMegalithic tomb · 3.2 km
- Templecavan ChurchAncient church · 5.9 km
- portal tomb of Straleel NorthMegalithic tomb · 6.3 km
- Hugh MacBrick's ChurchAncient church · 6.8 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 16 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 9 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 promontory fortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Slí Cholmcille - Sli Dhun na nGallLong Distance Waymarked Way · 65.3 km · nearest point 0.3 km
- Glencolmcille - Tower LoopWalking Trail · 7.7 km · nearest point 0.3 km
- Glencolmcille - Drum loopWalking Trail · 11.5 km · nearest point 0.3 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- FintraBeaches · 18 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- St Johns Point LighthouseHistoric stays · 23 km
Other attractions nearby
- Away to Me Sheepdog DemonstrationsNature and Wildlife · 5.4 km
- Málainn Bhig (Malinbeg)Natural Landscape · 5.4 km
- Sliabh Liag Scenic ToursWalking · 8.4 km
- Sliabh Liag (Slieve League)Natural Landscape · 9.3 km