What is recorded here

St Carthach's Well Cairn stands in good pasture west of Kilcar, an unclassified heap of stone beside an octagonal spring. The shape suggests human hands, yet no record names the builder or date. Water still rises through the stones, feeding pasture and memory alike.

St. Carthach's Well is an octagonally-shaped spring on the SSW side of a cairn 6.3m x 4.9m and 0.95m high. It is situated in good pasture WSW of Kilcar town. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated.

St Carthach's Well Cairn is a Bronze Age cairn, likely a portal tomb variant. Its association with a saint's well suggests later Christian activity, but the cairn itself represents an important prehistoric funerary monument.

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