- Ardagh (Brí Leith / Ardagh Hill and Cathedral Site): Originally a pre-Christian place of worship linked to the Tuatha Dé Danann and the mythical king Midir, this hill (anciently Brí Leith) held deep pagan significance in folklore and mythology. It became a key Christian centre when St Patrick visited, appointing his nephew St Mel as bishop and abbot; the ruins of St Mel’s Cathedral mark this transition and remain a focal point for visitors honouring early Irish Christianity.
- St Brigid’s Well, Ardagh: A renowned holy well dedicated to St Brigid, who is said to have visited the area before founding her monastery at Kildare. Folklore recounts her dropping hot coals here, causing the spring to emerge. It attracts pilgrims seeking blessings and healing, blending devotion to one of Ireland’s patron saints with traditions of sacred waters.
- St Patrick’s Well, Cartron, near Granard: This holy well, associated with St Patrick, is a popular pilgrimage spot visited especially around his feast day and in summer patterns. Believed to offer cures for skin ailments such as warts, boils, and burns, it draws devotees for rounds, prayers, and the enduring legacy of Ireland’s patron saint in the locality.
- Saints Island (Inishmore or Trinity Island), Lough Ree: An island site with the ruins of an Augustinian monastery founded in the medieval period, though linked to earlier traditions including St Ciarán (of Clonmacnoise fame), who is said to have established a presence here before 542. It serves as a serene pilgrimage place evoking the monastic heritage of early Irish saints amid the peaceful waters of Lough Ree.
- Abbeylara: The site of a Cistercian abbey founded in the 13th century, but rooted in a landscape of earlier Christian settlement. It represents the spread of monastic life in the region and attracts visitors interested in Ireland’s medieval sacred architecture and the quiet contemplative atmosphere of such historic ruins.
- Our Lady’s Well, Legan: A beautifully maintained holy well dedicated to the Virgin Mary, set in a peaceful rural spot with a well-tended path leading to it. It serves as a place of personal devotion, prayer, and reflection, drawing locals and visitors for its tranquil setting and ongoing role in popular piety.
- Corn Hill (Cairn Hill): A prominent hill with prehistoric cairns and ancient burial features, reflecting pre-Christian ceremonial use in the prehistoric landscape of the area. Its ancient mounds and folklore connections make it a site of interest for those exploring Ireland’s deep pagan roots and early ritual practices.
- St Columbkille’s Well (or similar early saint-associated wells in the county): Linked to St Colmcille (Columba), one of Ireland’s major early saints, this type of well in the region ties into broader traditions of pilgrimage and healing. Such sites, often visited for spiritual renewal, highlight the enduring veneration of early monastic figures in County Longford’s sacred geography.
County Longford:
Ireland’s county Longford offers a peaceful blend of history and countryside, with the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre showcasing an ancient Iron Age road. The county’s St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford town provides architectural beauty, while the River Inny offers opportunities for kayaking and fishing. Other attractions include the rolling farmlands and historic Ardagh village. Longford is Ireland’s fourth smallest county by size and second smallest by population (46,751). Population peaked at 115,491 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 28,250 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Longford is Ireland’s 32nd most visited and Ireland’s least visited tourist county with around 22,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets– Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
Sacred Places
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
