One of several holy wells once found in the locality, the well at Doonerin is unique in that is located on the seabed of Drumcliffe Bay and visible and accessible only at low tide. It is traditionally visited by the faithful on the 9th of June, St Columcille’s feast day, when its waters are taken as a cure for a range of ailments.
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Drumcliffe High Cross
In ancient times, Drumcliffe was referred to as Druim Cliabh na gcros, or Drumcliff of the crosses, due to the number of high crosses found there. While most were probably made of wood, at least some were stone and one of these remains fully intact at Drumcliffe. The standing undecorated shaft of another high cross…
Constance Markievicz Statue
Located in Rathcormac park is a statue of Countess Constance Markievicz (1868-1927), Irish nationalist, suffragette, politician, and champion of the poor. Born Constance Gore-Booth, the daughter of local land owner Sir Henry Gore-Booth, she spent her childhood living in nearby Lissadell House, before moving to London and later Paris to study art and where she met her…
Rathcormac Fort
Situated on a ridgeline overlooking Rathcormac, on privately-owned farmland, is the large ráth, or ringfort, from which the village takes its name. Local folklore links this ráth to Cormac, a descendent of the legendary lovers Diarmuid and Gráinne who are associated in story with Benbulben and its wild boar. Though the date of this example…
Drumcliffe Fearsat
A fearsat, ford or strand pass, is a manmade route across a body of water easily passable at low tide. These causeways, also referred to as toghers, were constructed by overlaying branches, bushes, stones, seaweed, and wood to create a raised causeway, or togher. these were in use from ancient times up to the 19th/early 20th…
The Battle of Cúl Dreimhne (Cooldrumman)
Located a short distance to the north of Drumcliffe, at the base of Benbulben in Cúl Dreimhne (Cooldrumman) townlands, is the reputed site of the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne (Cooldrumman), more popularly referred to as the “Battle of the Books”. Recorded as having taken place in or about 560CE, the battle between the northern and southern…