What is recorded here

St. Connell's Well sits in marshy pasture at the base of Glencolumbkille valley, lined with slabs and drystone walling. A small perforated flag-stone beside it was believed to hold curative power and travelled to America for years before returning. The well still gives water, but its most active part left the valley and carried local faith across an ocean.

St. Connell's Well is lined with slabs and drystone walling. A small perforated slabstone from here, with 'curative powers', has been taken away. It is located in marshy to fair pasture land at the base of the S side of Glencolumbkille valley. Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'Two hundred yards from it is Tobar Conall or Conaill (both said) in Dooey townland. Beside it is a small perforated flag-stone that is believed to have curative power. It has been brought to America and back to perform cures, and has been sometimes two and three years away' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 150). (Ó Muirgheasa No. 34) 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

Cill Fhathnaid is associated with St. Finnian (Fhathnaid), a 6th-century Irish saint known for founding monastic sites in Munster. The well is traditionally linked to healing rituals, with the perforated slabstone believed to have curative properties, reflecting common Celtic Christian practices of attributing miraculous powers to saintly relics and holy water.

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