What is recorded here

Indicated holds three bubbling fresh-water springs trapped inside stone circles on the muddy foreshore, belonging to Cathal Dubh and appearing only when the tide retreats. The sea swallows them at full flood, forcing whoever visits to read the moon and wait for water to return. Cathal Dubh may have drunk from those same springs, tested their warmth or marked them for others who followed the coastal road. The well does not demand belief; it demands patience, observation and respect for its changing shape.

Three fresh-water springs (DG004-055001/001-) defined by circles of stones on the muddy foreshore. Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'Cathal Dubh's three boiling wells at Strabreagy are three little bubbling springs on the Black Rock in Drumaville townland, on the left of the road from Carndonagh to Malin. At full tide they are covered, but a turus used to be made there. "Cathal Dubh" was a hermit, and his cell is still to be seen at Goorey, about two miles from Malin on the road to Lagg' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 158). (Ó Muirgheasa No. 93) 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: 02 November 2011

Linked to Saint Cathal Dubh, the site is traditionally associated with healing properties, particularly for skin ailments. The bubbling nature of the springs contributed to their reputation as sacred and curative waters in local folklore.

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