Holy Well

A holy well known as the Turas Well marked by a small heap of stones and offerings, situated in wet marshy terrain NW of St. Peter's Lough. Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'There is a Holy Well at St. Peter's Lake, near Mountcharles. Until about 1880 there used to be a big station there every year on the 29th June with "cars and carts from every art". "A horse and cart would not draw all the crutches that were at it then" (local tradition). Stations are still performed there, but not to the same extent as formerly. It is called St. Peter's Well on the Ordnance Map' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 145). (Ó Muirgheasa No. 12) 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 Saint Peter, the well is traditionally associated with cures for skin ailments and general healing. Local folklore suggests that the well was once visited by pilgrims who performed a ritual circuit (Turas) around St. Peter's Lough as part of their devotion.