Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
- Recorded sizeL 3.45m, W 2.9m, H 1.25m
What to look for
- Offerings left
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
On the roadside on N side of the Dooghta River valley. A pair of holy wells, fed from a small stream, which are dedicated to Muire (GA026-009----) and Fechín (GA026009001-).
Full archaeological record 132 words
On the roadside on N side of the Dooghta River valley. A pair of holy wells, fed from a small stream, which are dedicated to Muire (GA026-009----) and Fechín (GA026009001-). They are delimited by a rectangular drystone structure, E-shaped on plan (L 3.45m, Wth 2.9m, H 1.25m), the wells being located within its arms. A number of modern offerings are in evidence. According to local tradition, the wells originally contained a stone idol which had power over the weather; it was eventually smashed to pieces by St Fechín of Cong. The OS Letters recorded the existence of 'a flag stone called Leac Fechín [near St Fechín's Well; GA026-009002-] by which men were put to the ordeal!' (O'Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 3, 42), but no visible trace of it was found. (Hardiman 1846, 120-1)
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 05 August 2010 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
A number of modern offerings are in evidence.
According to local tradition, the wells originally contained a stone idol which had power over the weather; it was eventually smashed to pieces by St Fechín of Cong.
More holy wells nearby
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Tobermurry
Ritual site - holy well · Letterbrickaun · Galway · 17 km away
Tobermurry
Ritual site - holy well · Ballinrobe Demesne,Cavanquarter · Mayo · 19 km away
St. Annin's Holy Well
Ritual site - holy well · Killannin · Galway · 23 km away
Toberconnell
Ritual site - holy well · Cashel (Ballynahinch By.) · Galway · 24 km away
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Around Tober Murry
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Recorded within 5 km
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 castleArchaeological Survey of Ireland
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