St. Annin s Holy Well

Close to shore of Ross Lake c. 630m SE of St Annin's Church (GA068-024----). This well, correctly Tobar Ainthín, was noted by O'Flaherty in 1684 (Hardiman 1846, 54). It consists of a natural spring, dry at time of visit, delimited by a rectangular drystone wall (L c. 5m, Wth 3.8m). According to Killanin (1947, 123) it was resorted to on 18th January, St Annin's day. (O'Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 3, 146-7) 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

St. Annin's Holy Well is associated with St. Ainthín, a lesser-known early Irish saint, and was historically visited for its supposed healing properties, particularly for eye ailments. The well's name and early mention by O'Flaherty suggest a long-standing tradition of veneration linked to local Christian heritage.