the gap of mamore

Tradition tells us, that one day while travelling through the Gap of Mamore St.Columba rested near the well, which now lends his name. He prayed on the flag-stone and drank from the spring which he blessed and then went on his way. The date of his visit could be either 15th August or 8th September. So from time immemorial the people of the district have been making a Turas (Pilgrimage) at the well. It consisted of three visits to the well. First on 15th August the third on 8th September and the second sometime in between. They go around the well on barefoot saying prayers on the flagstone, drinking from the spring, leaving a souvenir of their visit and going home.