3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
About eight miles from the Four Masters’ School in Byrne’s mountain on the old foot-road across Croney to Lough Derg is a Holy Well called Sliabh Dubh. ( ½ ml. from the Donegal-Tyrone border.) (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1035, Page 199)
4 Cure
There is a cure for toothache sore-heads and sore legs at this Holy Well. When anyone takes away a bottle of the water it must be corked with rushes from the well-side. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1035, Page 199)
6 Offerings
An old rag or some such thing is supposed to be left at the Well after a visit. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1035, Page 199)
8 Stories
Local tradition says that as Saint Patrick was going to “The Island” he got thirsty and he came upon a spring well. He drank out of it and then he blessed it. (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1035, Page 199)
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
Located at the terminus of a thoroughly kept trail (of grass and stone) through a field called Crag Murray (or Flat Swamp) is the ancient St Colomcille's Well. The site immediately surrounding the well includes superstructure that reflects how the well would have looked long ago (thanks to the 2011 efforts of the Kells Archaeological Society). A three-walled structure with a flat rock covers the surface-point of the water, from which a stone-lined waterway extends in the direction of the return path (Dempsey, 2013).
4 Cure
Well said to heal pain in the head, legs, and teeth (French, 2012:22). Rites unknown for 'achieving' curative effects.
5 Pattern day
Pattern day is held annually on the day of St Colmcille's death, June 9th. A Patronal ceremony also takes place here on the eve of the Pattern day (Dempsey, 2013).
7 Prayer rounds and stations
In the early twentieth century throngs of people would celebrate on the eve of the Pattern day. They would recite the Holy Rosary to honor Saint Colmcille and musicians would perform from Kells and sometimes Dublin (French, 2012:21-2).
9 Publications
Dempsey, Jim. Megalithic Ireland. "St Colmcille's Well." http://www.megalithicireland.com/St%20Colmcille's%20Well,%20Kells.html; Thunder, John M. 1886. The Holy Wells of Meath. The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland, Fourth Series, 7:68, pp. 656; French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. pp. 18-24; http://irelandssacredwater.com/holy-wells-in-ireland-map.html.