This unassuming feature, measuring just one metre in diameter, represents a type of ritual site once common throughout rural Ireland. Holy wells like this one served as focal points for religious observance and folk healing practices, often blending pre-Christian traditions with later Catholic devotions.

The site was documented as part of the Archaeological Survey of County Donegal, a comprehensive catalogue compiled in 1983 that records the county’s archaeological heritage from the Mesolithic period through to the 17th century. The survey, undertaken by a team of archaeologists led by Brian Lacey, provides valuable insights into thousands of such sites across the county, many of which might otherwise have been overlooked or forgotten.

While the stone circle at Loughros Glebe may appear unremarkable to the casual observer, it forms part of Ireland’s rich tapestry of vernacular religious sites. These holy wells were typically visited on pattern days or saint’s feast days, when local communities would gather to pray, perform rounds of devotion, and sometimes seek cures for various ailments. Though many such sites have fallen out of active use, they remain important markers of Ireland’s spiritual landscape, preserving memories of centuries-old practices and beliefs.