Penitential station in Ballinlena

Located immediately to SE of a holy well (MA008-004001), on an E-facing slope. This penitential cairn, which was associated with a ‘pattern’ or round of prayers traditionally undertaken at the well, consists of a partly sod-covered, loose pile (3m E-W; 4m N-S; H 0.8m) of stones. Another penitential cairn (MA008-004004-) is located a few meters to the SW. An early medieval church (MA008-006001-) and graveyard (MA008-006007-) are located c. 40m to S. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 1 July 2019

This penitential station is linked to the holy well nearby and was used as part of a traditional pattern of pilgrimage and prayer. Such sites were often associated with Saint Brigid or local saints, and penitential cairns were used by pilgrims to perform acts of devotion, including walking rounds or saying prayers for spiritual cleansing and healing.