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Ritual site - holy well

Toberelva

Holy well in Derrysallagh, County Sligo, with "Saint Elva's Grave" in its vicinity.

  • AccessNot confirmed
  • National MonumentNot recorded
  • DateNot stated
  • FolkloreNone recorded
  • PhotoWanted
Derrysallagh, Co. Sligo54.09794, -8.19390
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Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer

At a glance

  • TypeRitual site - holy well
  • Recorded sizemax. L 1.7m NE-SW; max. W 0.5m NW-SE; max. H 1.3m from the base to the roof

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
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History and description

In mountain bog, on a SW-facing slope and 8m SW of a 'St Elba's Grave' (SL035-073002-). A U-shaped well (max. L 1.7m NE-SW; max. Wth 0.5m NW-SE; max. H 1.3m from the base to the roof) with walls of roughly coursed limestone rubble (T 0.4m) roofed with limestone flags.

Full archaeological record 151 words

In mountain bog, on a SW-facing slope and 8m SW of a 'St Elba's Grave' (SL035-073002-). A U-shaped well (max. L 1.7m NE-SW; max. Wth 0.5m NW-SE; max. H 1.3m from the base to the roof) with walls of roughly coursed limestone rubble (T 0.4m) roofed with limestone flags. The roof slopes gently down from the front to the rear. The opening into the well (Wth 0.7m; H 0.8m) faces SW. The base of the well is stone-lined and holds water. It was recorded in 1836 that the well was named after Saint Eilibh, a sister saint of Lasair (OSL, 239). In 1942-4 it was recorded as being named after Saint Ailbe and that it was visited by persons suffering from any diseases (but particularly mental diseases) from 15th August to 8th September though it was then only infrequently visited (ITA). There is a penitential station (SL035-073003-) c. 10m to E.

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

More holy wells nearby

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