Holy well in Leitir Deiscirt

Close to the head of a minute inlet c. 0.5km W of Carna village. Known locally as Tobar na Seacht nIníon (pers. comm. T. Robinson), it consists of a natural smooth hole in the shape of an inverted pyramid (L/Wth c. 0.4m), on the crest of a rock scarp. A cleft in the rock forms a flight of little steps up to the well, which is now blocked by vegetation. Some round pebbles and pennies are visible. A small subrectangular drystone leacht (L 2.2m, Wth 1.3m, H 0.6m) lies 20m to SE. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

Tobar na Seacht nIníon is associated with the Seven Daughters of Leitir Deiscirt, a local tradition recalling a tragic tale of seven sisters who died under mysterious or supernatural circumstances. The well was historically visited for healing and protective rituals, particularly for women’s ailments and fertility.