The practice of visiting holy wells is one of the oldest traditions of Irish Christianity. Pilgrimage to the holy well is referred to as doing the rounds or ‘turas’. A detailed ritual (involving prayers, circuits and leaving offerings) is performed for a pilgrim to obtain a cure or blessing for themselves, or on behalf of another.
St Conall’s Well
St. Conall’s Well, and the townland of Derryleconnell Near where it is located, are named after the 6th Century Saint who is believed to have stayed here, sleeping under a tree by the well.
Legend has it that having killed his father in a fit of rage, St. Conall Cael was exiled to the tidal island of Inishkeel near Narin/Portnoo and founded a monastery, the ruins of which still exist.
A priest told St. Conall Cael that he would only get forgiveness for his sin if he became calm enough that a swallow would build a nest in his hand. The Saint did penance and 7 years later, he awoke to find a small egg on his open palm.
St. Conall’s feast day is celebrated on May 22nd.
St. Conall’s Well is situated on private land next to the Gweebarra River, 2km south west of Doochary Bridge. This would have been on the pilgrimage route from the birthplace of St Colmcille at Gartan to St Conall’s monastery 20km South West at Inishkeel. In addition to the well, there are 2 indentations known as ‘The Saint’s Knees’ and a bullaun stone known as ‘The Saint’s Elbow’. Visitors leave coins and rags as offerings.
Turas for St. Conall’s Well
Local resident Rose Bonner explains the ritual at St. Conall’s Well:
“You take 7 stones down and every decade that you go around, throw a stone into the well. There’s 7 decades of the rosary for the turas, as we call it, and then I offer up an Our Father and Hail Mary for St. Conall that blessed it. This is where he lay for months [on The Saint’s Bed]. It makes you feel good when you do it, there’s a very peaceful thing about it.”
Sarah’s Well
The water here is reputed to cure skin conditions. Visitors can make a pilgrimage here to seek a cure for themselves or for a friend or family member.
If they seek the cure for someone other than themselves, they should bring a piece of clothing or some other item belonging to the person for whom they are seeking a cure.
Turas for Sarah’s Well
When setting out to make the turas, it is important to only go there during sunset or sunrise. And that errand of going to the well will be the only one on that journey – you should go from your home to the well and straight back home again. When the turas is complete, take holy water home and bless the affected area morning and night. Here are the turas to receive a cure:
- 7 Decades of the Rosary
- 5 Our Fathers
- 5 Hail Marys
- The Creed
- Act of Contrition
- Shake holy water over your shoulders 3 times while saying “In the name of The Father, Son and Holy Spirit”