This holy well forms part of an ancient pilgrimage route, or turus, on the island that has drawn devotees for centuries. The pilgrimage season traditionally runs from 22nd May, St. Conall’s feast day, through to 12th September, when visitors would perform stations at both this well and St. Conall’s Well nearby.

The ritual significance of the site was once enhanced by the presence of the Bearnan Conall, St. Conall’s Gapped Bell, which pilgrims would kiss as an essential part of their devotions. This venerable relic passed down through generations of the Gearan family (later anglicised to Sharpe), who likely served as erenachs, or hereditary stewards, of the monastery. The bell’s journey took a controversial turn when it came into the possession of the Breslin family, who, lacking the traditional reverence for the object, sold it to the Nesbitts of Woodhill around sixty or seventy years before 1936. Local legend holds that divine retribution followed this sale; all the cattle and sheep Breslin purchased with the proceeds reportedly died. The bell eventually found its way to the British Museum, far from its spiritual home.

The island remains steeped in sacred tradition, with locals believing that St. Conall himself returns each year on 1st June to visit his former monastery. According to tradition, both St. Conall and the poet Dallan Forgall share a grave on Inishkeel, their earthly remains united in this remote Atlantic outpost. The holy wells continue to attract those seeking connection with Ireland’s early Christian heritage, their waters still flowing as they have for over a millennium, bearing witness to centuries of faith and folklore.