Holy well in Doonaltan

Situated on the Ballymeeny River, beneath a small waterfall, in the base of a steep-sided, wooded ravine. It consists of a natural river pool (diam. c. 10m) known as ‘Dabhach Fharannain or the vat or keeve of Farannan’, said to have been used by St Farannan for the baptism of pilgrims and for ‘personal mortification’ (O’Rorke 1889, 413). Adjacent to the pool at SE is a bedrock slab used as an altar (SL011-058001-). Another holy well (SL011-057----) is located on the steep W slope of the ravine c. 40m to NW. On the ridge top bordering the E side of the ravine, c. 20m to SE, there is a cairn (SL011-058----), traditionally said to be the saint’s grave. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 2 July 2013

Linked to Saint Farannan, an early Irish hermit and saint associated with the area, the well is traditionally believed to have curative properties, particularly for ailments of the stomach and digestive system. Local folklore suggests that the name "Dabhach Fharannain" refers to a sacred vessel or place of purification connected to the saint’s spiritual practices.