Holy Wells

Hugh MacBrick's Church (DG090-004001-): Situated at the edge of a narrow ridge of Slieve League. Some 3m SW of the church are the collapsed remains of a beehive structure (DG090-004002-), partly built into the slope of the mountain; the entrance is on the E. Three 'Holy Wells' (DG090-004003-; DG090-004005-; DG090-004006-) are noted on the OS 6-inch map near the church. Approximately 20m N of the church is a cross-inscribed pillar stone (DG090-004004-) rising from a possible leacht (DG090-004008-) located immediately to the W of a holy well (DG090-004006-). This holy well (DG090-004003-) is 34m to the SE and a second holy well (DG090-004005-) is 13m to the N of it. This holy well consists of a natural spring well enclosed by a dry stone surround with a roughly shaped standing stone marking the site of the holy well. Approximately 26 cairns (penitential stations), three of which may be the remains of hut sites, are strung along both edges of the narrow ridge of Slieve League. (Ó Muirgheasa, Nos. 27 and 28.) Described by O'Muirgheasa as 'The Holy Well of Hugh Mac Bric near the summit of Sliabh Liag. The 10th November, the Saint's festival, was an unsuitable season for the performance of a pilgrimage on an exposed mountain, and may partially account for its decay. Hugh, who was a bishop, died in 588, and is said to be buried along with Bishop Assicus of Elphin, at Racoo, near Ballintra. A note in the Martyrology of Donegal gives his descent - Aodh the son of Bric, the son of Cormac, the son of Cremthann, the son of Fiacha, was born in Cillair of Meath' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 149). In September 1909 over 2,000 people led by the local clergy solemnly performed the turas, and a local poet celebrated the event in an Irish poem which he published in the Derry Journal ' ( Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 149, 247). (Ó Muirgheasa No. 27) National Monument No. 139 (1) 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. Date of upload/revision: 06 January 2012