What is recorded here

Bullan is a bullaun stone in County Donegal, Ireland. It lies beside a living graveyard and a sharp bend in the River Swilly, its shallow basin waiting for water, memory or prayer. A thorn tree nearby still wears rags, suggesting that people continue to mark the place even when the old well has disappeared from sight.

The church (DG053-033001-) is situated inside a graveyard (DG053-033004-), which is still in use. Outside the E wall of the graveyard beside a stream, is a boulder (DG053-033003-) .75m × 0.5m × 0.35m. This has a basin .2m in diameter and 0.13m deep. A thorn tree beside the boulder was decorated with rags when the site was visited. There is no trace of the 'holy well' (DG053-033002-) marked near the boulder on the OS 6-inch maps. The site is located on good land close to a sharp bend in the River Swilly. 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. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

Likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the basin may have had a ritual or practical function, such as water collection or symbolic cleansing. No specific folklore is recorded for this site.

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.