Holy Well

Situated at the base of a S-facing slope in a deciduous wood. This is a natural well in a rock cleft at the bottom of a low cliff (H 1.8m) which is surrounded by a stone wall, making a small rectangular enclosure (int. dims c. 3.5m x 3.5m) which contains statues and offerings. An upright slab (H 1.2m; Wth 0.4m; T 0.15m) fashioned into a rough cross, probably from an 18th-century cut-stone window lintel, is surmounted by a sandstone finial cross (H 0.35m; Span 0.28m; T 0.16m) with a solid ring head (diam. 0.2m). Both features are possibly from the old church at Killarga (LE015-103001-). The well enclosure is surrounded by five metal crosses and an iron railing. A rag-tree enclosed in a small cairn (diam. 2m; max. H 0.6m) is situated just SW of the well. The saint is held locally to be called Arguill and the pattern is held on August 15th (See this web-page accessed on 22/09/2016: http://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4605940/4604191). The first Roman Catholic church of Killarga (LE015-103001-), possibly on the site of the medieval parish church, is c. 350m to the NW. See the attached view from the S. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Leitrim' compiled by Michael J. Moore (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2003). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 September 2008

Linked to Saint Gobnait, the well is traditionally associated with cures for eye ailments and general healing. Local folklore suggests that the saint founded a convent in the area, and the site was a place of pilgrimage and devotion in early Christian times.