The site has a complex religious history; whilst now associated with St. Columbkille, local tradition suggests it was originally dedicated to St. Aigne, from whom the nearby Desert Aigne takes its name. The well forms the centrepiece of an ancient pilgrimage route known as Turus a’ Mhaidhm Moir, performed annually on 15th August when barefoot pilgrims circle seven cairns before finishing their devotions at the holy well itself.

Writing in 1936, the folklorist Ó Muirgheasa documented this living tradition, noting how the ritual pattern, or ‘turus’, had been maintained by local communities for generations. Earlier accounts from the 19th century paint an evocative picture of the site’s spiritual significance, describing how a saint of old was said to have retreated to this mountain fastness to meditate and pray. The dramatic landscape of the gap, with its sweeping views and isolated position, certainly lends itself to contemplation; it’s not difficult to imagine why early Christian hermits might have chosen such a spot for their devotions.

The well represents just one of many ritual sites scattered across the Inishowen Peninsula, each with its own particular customs and feast days. Archaeological surveys have documented these sites as part of Donegal’s rich religious heritage, spanning from the early medieval period through to the present day. The persistence of the August pilgrimage at St. Columbkille’s well, with pilgrims still walking barefoot around the cairns as their ancestors did, demonstrates how these ancient practices continue to hold meaning for local communities, bridging centuries of religious and social change.