What is recorded here

St. Davaddog's Holy Well near Rossnakill in County Donegal is a ritual site whose exact location remains unknown. The name suggests a person who lived, prayed or suffered beside that water before the memory faded into stone and story. The loss is not emptiness; it is an invitation to imagine the hands that cupped the water and the voices that called the saint into being.

OS 8 (Precise location not discovered) Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'St. Davaddog's Holy Well, near Rossnakill, is mentioned by Dr. Maguire' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 154). (Ó Muirgheasa No. 67) 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: 22 September 2008

Linked to St. Davaddog, the well is associated with traditional healing practices and may have been visited for water cures. St. Davaddog is a lesser-known early Irish saint, and his wells often feature in local folklore connected to protection and physical healing.

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