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Penitential station in Disert

Penitential station

What is recorded here

Located adjacent to a holy well (DG084-001004-), within the N half of an ecclesiastical enclosure (DG084-001001-). This is one of two penitential cairns, which flank the holy well, and are associated with traditional devotional activities at the well. It consists of a mound of stones, mainly fist-sized but occasionally larger. A tree grows out of the mound. There is a similar cairn (DG084-001010-) immediately to W. (Beglane et al. 2016, Appendix 2). Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 9 August 2017
Penitential stations in Ireland are often linked to early Christian practices of pilgrimage and atonement, particularly associated with St. Brigid, St. Patrick, or local saints. These cairns typically mark stops along a route of ritual walking, believed to bring spiritual or physical healing, often connected to the nearby holy well.

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What survives
Recorded monument

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