St. Colums Well — Ballyla

Situated on a slight W-facing slope with a small N-S stream c. 35m to the W. According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 a pattern was held at this well on June 9th in honour of St. Columkille, or Colum Cille, of Iona (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 307). The well is a natural spring, now concreted over. St. Colum Cille is one of the best-documented saints from early Ireland and was commemorated throughout the country as one of the three national saints. He was from the ruling Ceinéal Conaill of Donegal, but his mother, Eithne, may have been connected with the Uí Bhairrche of Carlow/Wexford. He was educated by Fionnbharr of Movila in Co. Down, but his secret copying of a text led to the battle of Cúil Dreimhne and his self-imposed exile in Iona, where his monastery, founded c. 550, became the centre of the Columban mission to Britain and the continent. (Ó Riain 2011, 211-14) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 18 January, 2012