Altar Well

An overgrown well sited 40m N of a former 'altar' (DG052-033----) used as a penitential station. It is situated at the foot of the N slope of Crockatee in marshy land. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' 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. Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 02 November 2011

Linked to an early Christian penitential tradition, the site reflects practices associated with pilgrimage and ritual cleansing. Local folklore suggests the well may have been dedicated to a saint no longer venerated in the region, with its use as a penitential station indicating its spiritual significance in medieval times.