Among these were two modest spa wells near Dawros in County Donegal, recorded on the 1907 edition of the six-inch map. These wells represent a fascinating glimpse into rural Irish life during a period when mineral springs and healing waters held significant cultural importance, drawing visitors seeking remedies for various ailments.

The wells at Dawros were part of a broader tradition of holy wells and spa waters that dotted the Irish countryside. Unlike the grand spa towns that flourished elsewhere in Ireland and Britain, these were humble affairs; simple stone structures where locals and occasional travellers would come to take the waters. The mineral content of these particular springs, likely rich in iron or sulphur given the geology of western Donegal, would have been credited with therapeutic properties ranging from digestive complaints to rheumatism.

Today, finding these wells requires both the old OS map and a keen eye for the landscape’s subtle clues. The area around Dawros has changed considerably since 1907, with modern agriculture and development obscuring many of the old pathways and landmarks. Yet for those interested in Ireland’s vernacular heritage, these forgotten spa wells serve as tangible links to a time when communities relied on natural springs not just for water, but for hope, healing, and social gathering; a reminder that even the smallest marks on an old map can tell profound stories about how people once lived.