Saint Cormac's Well

St. Cormac's Well, at Ballincloghan Road, Kilcormac, has always been a popular place for private devotion with the people of the district.

In 1959, Rev. Andrew Shaw, P.P. carried out major improvements to make the well more accessible. The well was enclosed, a stone hood was built over it, and the Stations of the Cross erected around it. Inserted in the hood over the well are three stones from the Holy Land: one from Nazareth, another from Bethlehem, and one from the Garden of Gethsemani. The twelfth Station is a replica in outline of an ancient cross in north Donegal which is said to be the oldest excised cross in Ireland. A stone with a hole through it will be noticed near the well. This is known as an 'Engagement Stone,' which in olden times was used to make verbal agreements binding, by the contracting parties joining hands through the hole.

The traditional prayers said at St. Cormac's wells and known as- 'St. Cormac's Station' were: The Sign of the Cross, Creed, Pater, Ave, Gloria and Sign of the Cross, said while kneeling at the well, and then while walking clockwise around it, the prayer: ‘Saint Cormac, pray for me and ask the Father, in the name of Jesus, to hear my prayers and grant me my request. Amen.’ The request was then made. These prayers and actions were repeated three times in all to complete the station.

The feastday of St. Cormac is the 21st of June and this is the most popular day locally for devotions at the well.