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Holy Wells

Name: Tobar na mBan Naoimh

Irish Name: Tobar na mBan Naoimh

Meaning: The Well of the Holy Women

County: Donegal

Province: Ulster

Patron Saint: 

Traditions: Local tradition identifies the Holy Women as Cial, Tuigse, and Náire, said to have been sisters of St. Columba who became nuns and blessed the well. Their memory was honoured through an annual pilgrimage, or turas, traditionally held on 23 June. Pilgrims gathered from neighbouring parishes, and some remained at the well overnight. The celebrations continued until 29 June, Teelin's traditional feast day, when the Rosary was recited at the well.
The well was especially revered by local fishermen. As their boats passed Teelin Pier, they would lower their sails, remove their caps, and pray three Hail Marys for the Holy Women's blessing, protection, and safe return. Pilgrims also performed prescribed rounds at the well's nearby altar before drawing water. Three drops were poured out in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit before drinking, while bottles of water were carried home and sent to friends abroad for its traditional healing properties.

Story: 

Above Teelin Harbour, on the western side of Teelin Bay, lies Tobar na mBan Naoimh, the Well of the Holy Women. The well takes its name from three women remembered in local tradition as Cial, Tuigse, and Náire, whose names are associated with sense, understanding, and modesty. According to the story passed down through generations, they were sisters of St. Columba, raised in Rann na Cille, who became nuns and blessed the well. Nearby places preserve their memory, including a burial ground known as Roilig na mBan, the Graveyard of the Women. Tradition holds that two of the sisters were buried there, while the third was laid to rest across Teelin Bay.

The well became an important place of devotion for the surrounding community. Each year, on 23 June, pilgrims gathered to perform the traditional turas, or devotional pilgrimage. In earlier times, hundreds came from four neighbouring parishes, and some remained through the night. The gathering continued toward 29 June, Teelin's traditional feast day. These annual visits connected prayer, place, and community, carrying the memory of the Holy Women from one generation to the next.

The well held particular significance for Teelin's fishermen, whose lives depended on the uncertain waters of the Atlantic. As boats passed the pier on their way to sea, fishermen would lower their sails, remove their caps, and offer prayers for protection and a safe return. For a community so closely bound to the sea, this gesture expressed a faith woven into the ordinary rhythms of work and family life.

Tobar na mBan Naoimh was also associated with traditional healing practices. Pilgrims approached the nearby altar and completed prescribed rounds before drawing water. Three drops were poured out in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit before the water was taken for personal use. Bottles were carried home and sometimes sent to relatives and friends living far from Donegal, extending the well's significance beyond the community itself.

Today, the Well of the Holy Women stands as a reminder of Teelin's rich devotional heritage: a place where the memory of three holy women, the prayers of generations of pilgrims, and the hopes of fishermen setting out into the Atlantic became part of the same enduring tradition.

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