Holy well in Gólam

In S part of the island c. 130m E of the signal tower (GA089-013----). Known locally as Tobar Cholmcille, it consists of a round pothole in a rock cleft which leads up a small fault-scarp. The saint's footprints are pointed out in the scarp face to N of the well, and to S of it is a broad band of whitish porphyry (a quartz dyke) called Bóthar na Naomh: this is the road the saints took in marching out to Oileáin Árainn (info. T. Robinson). Not visited. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

Linked to St. Columba (Colmcille), the well is associated with early Christian pilgrimage and is named after the saint, who is said to have visited the site. Local tradition mentions the presence of the saint's footprints in the rock, adding to its spiritual significance.