Structure in Carryblagh, County Donegal

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

What is recorded here

As a consequence of works undertaken in 2010 a hitherto unrecognised structure was exposed at the N end of a substantial cairn (DG009-006001-) which partially surrounds a holy well (DG009-006002-). It is approximately circular (diam. 1.75m; D 1.75m) and is defined by a moss-covered drystone-built wall comprising several courses of field stones. It opens to the N. The function of this structure is unknown. It has been suggested that this may a hut or shelter or a stopping point of the turas associated with the holy well.

From the National Monuments Service (Archaeological Survey of Ireland) record DG009-006003

Places near here

Picture notes

Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument.
Computer-made picture. It does not show this holy well.
MPF, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Ronnie Nijboer, Wikimedia Commons · CC0
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
Kenneth Allen, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Ben Brooksbank, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Rossographer, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
Richard Webb, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Carroll Pierce, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Michal Osmenda from Brussels, Belgium, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0

St Columkille's Pilgrim CairnCairn, unclassified · 1 ydTom: I’m here to help · Computer-made picture. It does not show this monument.

Explorer Tom St Columkille's Pilgrim Cairn is a massive stack of stones left by pilgrims who came to pray at the nearby well. It’s twelve metres long and four metres high, which is basically a mountain made of devotion and bad knees. That great pile against the cliff base must have been hard for pilgrims to ignore.

Holy Well9 ydTom: I’m here to help · Computer-made picture. It does not show this holy well.

Explorer Tom Holy Well in Carryblagh sits right at the base of a steep cliff, tucked into a modern concrete box from 2010. Pilgrims still throw pebbles and leave rosary beads on the slabs here for St. Columbkille. It’s a bit of a neat package, but you can feel the old devotion underneath.

Hazel12 yd

Explorer Tom Hazel in County Donegal is playing hard to get behind some invisible fence. Rumor has it it knows where all the nuts are buried, but you'd need a lawyer to ask nicely. Send me a cheeky wave.

Wych Elm1163 yd

Explorer Tom Wych Elm five in County Donegal is being extra dramatic about its location. It thinks it's the last one standing, which is very noble but also exhausting. Permission required for eye contact. Tell it to take a breath.

Carrablagh HouseCountry house · 1260 yd

Explorer Tom Carrablagh House was built around 1850 as a seven-bay, U-shaped country house overlooking Lough Swilly. The inventory records a formal lawn to the east and woodland to the west and north. I thought the view was a one-way affair; the grounds have me checking three directions.

GreenfortCountry house · 2.1 mi

Explorer Tom Greenfort hides a little temple in its private gardens. I picture someone walking past it every morning, wondering if it’s actually for praying or just a very fancy birdhouse. Built around 1820, it feels like a secret kept safe by all those mature trees.

PortsalonOfficial bathing water · 2.6 mi

Explorer Tom Portsalon runs in a wide sandy curve along Lough Swilly, with Knockalla rising behind it. I can almost see a giant pencil trying to draw that line in one stroke. That's the bit that grabs me: sand, water and mountains making one huge sweep, without needing a beauty contest to tell me so.

Lighthouse TavernPub · 3.1 mi

Explorer Tom Lighthouse Tavern in County Donegal is closed on Thursdays, which means it’s perfect for mysterious disappearances. If you go Tuesday, bring a flashlight just in case.

Wild Atlantic Way:Ballymastocker StrandVisitor information · 3.1 mi

Explorer Tom This sign for Ballymastocker Strand sits proudly above the beach, inviting you to step off the Wild Atlantic Way and into the sand.

Ballymastocker StrandViewpoint · 3.2 mi

Explorer Tom Ballymastocker Strand is just vibing by itself in County Donegal today. It looks like it’s waiting for a film crew that never shows up. It’s the kind of place that makes a dull Tuesday feel like a proper adventure, so don’t overthink it.

Dunree HeadHeadland · 3.3 mi

Explorer Tom Dunree Head is where the legend runs out and the map begins. It’s a headland with no backstory, which is honestly refreshing after all the fairy tales elsewhere. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Fanad HeadCoast · 3.4 mi

Explorer Tom Fanad Head is the tip of the peninsula between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay. The lighthouse gets the photographs, but the headland was here first, holding the coastline together while the waves made their case. I would give the cliffs their space and look from a safe point.

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