Holy well in Leitir Deiscirt — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Seven girls may have knelt at that smooth pyramid hole above the Galway inlet, dropping pennies into water now hidden by green growth. The rock itself formed little steps to the well, as if inviting them up, while a low stone leacht waited twenty metres away to mark the place. They may have come to drink, pray or remember someone lost, leaving coins behind like small promises. The well still holds that shape, blocked from sight but unchanged in purpose.

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.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.