Why this matters
Linked to St Elba, the well is traditionally associated with healing and protection, with pilgrims visiting the site to seek cures for ailments and to leave offerings. The nearby marked grave suggests a long-standing veneration of the saint in the local landscape.
What is recorded here
In mountain bog, on a SW-facing slope and 8m SW of a 'St Elba's Grave' (SL035-073002-). A U-shaped well (max. L 1.7m NE-SW; max. Wth 0.5m NW-SE; max. H 1.3m from the base to the roof) with walls of roughly coursed limestone rubble (T 0.4m) roofed with limestone flags. The roof slopes gently down from the front to the rear. The opening into the well (Wth 0.7m; H 0.8m) faces SW. The base of the well is stone-lined and holds water. It was recorded in 1836 that the well was named after Saint Eilibh, a sister saint of Lasair (OSL, 239). In 1942-4 it was recorded as being named after Saint Ailbe and that it was visited by persons suffering from any diseases (but particularly mental diseases) from 15th August to 8th September though it was then only infrequently visited (ITA). There is a penitential station (SL035-073003-) c. 10m to E.
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005).
Date of upload: 18 January 2008
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