What is recorded here

Kiltooris, meaning Church of the Pilgrimage, hides a circular dry-stone well on a rough slope above the lough. The nearby graveyard vanished beneath dense briars, denying even a close look at the old faith. The well remains exposed, waiting for hands that remember what the thorns forgot.

It is believed that at a spot called Lough an Airne or Lus Na nAirne (McGill 1976, 26) there was a graveyard (DG064-016001-) almost certainly the site of the original Ceall, (Church) which forms part of the name of Kiltoorish. The site is covered by a dense growth of briars etc. and proved impossible to inspect closely. To the SW is a holy well (DG064-016002-), roughly circular, formed of dry-stone walling (Ó Muirgheasa No. 37). The site is located on a NE facing slope overlooking Kiltoorish Lough in an area of rough pasture. Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'There is a Holy Well at Kiltoorish, about which I have not been able to glean any information. Kiltoorish seems to mean " the Church of the Pilgrimage" ' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 151). 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: 03 November 2011

Linked to an early Christian church and burial site, the holy well at Kiltooris is associated with local traditions of healing and pilgrimage. The name "Kiltooris" derives from the Irish "Cill Tóraíse," meaning "church of Tóraí," suggesting a possible connection to Saint Tóraí or an early monastic foundation.

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