Discover Alone ← Back to nearby map

← Back to the nearby map

Grave of St Mac Duaghs Servant — Keelhilla

Holy well
View what I want to do
No photo yet

Add your own picture and explain the route, parking, gates, paths or landmarks that help people find it.

Earn 5 points after the picture is checked and accepted.

Add your photo and local directionsShare what you found

What is recorded here

On level rock pavement and rough grazing, c. 425m ESE of the ecclesiastical remains associated with St Colman Mac Duagh (CL006-023----). Listed as ‘Megalithic structure (possible)’ in the SMR (1992) and the RMP (1996). Named ‘Grave of St MacDuagh’s Servant’ on the 1915 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. According to Westropp (1910-13) St Colman MacDuagh’s servant is said to have died (c. AD 630) after overindulging in King Guaire’s feast, which miraculously arrived after he and Colman had undergone a long period of subsisting on meagre rations (Comber 2003, 67). A subrectangular mound of slabs and rubble (c. 5m N-S x 3m E-W) enclosing a small rectangular fissure in the bedrock (2.55m E–W x 1.1m N–S; H 0.7m) roofed by two large thin flagstones, one on top of the other and opening to the N. There is presently no evidence of water in the fissure. The opening is approached by a small curved passage (5m N–S x 3m E–W) defined by natural outcrop and by a collapsed drystone wall (H 1.1m; Wth 0.5–0.8m). Two penitential cairns (CL006-025002- and CL006-025003-) joined by a wall are located c. 2m to the W. The following image has been uploaded: CL006-025----_01.jpg View from N. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 4 May 2021

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.