St. Patricks Well

This well, dedicated to St. Patrick, is a small artificial opening in the steep face of a hillslope. It is partly overlain by a flat slab. (Ó Muirgheasa No. 68) Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'Tobar Phadraig or St. Patrick's Well, near Ballymichael N. School, in Fanad, and another St. Patrick's Well in Ballylar. Stations are still made on 17th March' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 154). 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. Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 02 November 2011

Linked to St. Patrick, the well is associated with traditional Catholic devotion and may have been a site of pilgrimage or prayer. Such wells were often believed to possess healing properties, and it is likely that this site was used for blessings or curing ailments, in line with broader Irish holy well traditions.