Why this matters
Linked to Saint Patrick, the well is traditionally associated with healing and protection, with pilgrims historically visiting to seek cures for ailments and to collect water for blessings. The site's location on a remote island adds to its aura of sanctity and seclusion, reflecting early Christian practices of associating holy wells with isolated, natural landscapes.
What is recorded here
In rough pasture, at the base of W-facing slope, on the SW side of Dernish Island. The shoreline is c. 20m to W, bordered by a vertical scarp (H 2m) which drops from the land to a stony shore.
This holy well is not shown on the 1837 OS 6-inch map; it is indicated as ‘Tober Patrick’ on the 1912 edition. It consists of a spring well, which rises, at the base of the slope in a small subcircular hollow (diam. c. 1m), amidst a random scatter of large stones and boulders. There is no evidence of walling or a formal structure enclosing the well. It is partly engulfed in overgrowth. From here, the water flows as a stream in a shallow, stony gully towards the shore. At the shoreline, c. 20m SW of the holy well, where the stream crosses the vertical land-edge scarp (H c. 2m), there is a setting of three large upright slabs at the top of the scarp, and at the base of the scarp, on the shoreline, a 2m wide channel is faced with boulders. The purpose of these features is unclear; they appear to be relatively late in date, and it is unclear if they relate in any way to use of the spring as a holy well. There is a fulacht fia (SL002-055----) 8m to WNW of the holy well.
Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy
Date of upload: 31 July 2017
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