dympna holy well achill island mayo

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$St Dympna\'s Holy Well Achill Island, Mayo Royalty Free Stock Photo$

$St Dympna\'s Church, at Kildavnet, Achill Island Royalty Free Stock Photo$

St Dympna's 17th century church is built on the south-east coast of Achill Island. An early church was founded here by St Dympna in the 7th century. The placename is derived from 'Cill Damhnait' meaning ' Church of Davnet (Dympna)'. After you cross the bridge onto the island follow the signs for the Atlantic Drive. The roofless church is situated in Kildownet cemetery, about 250 metres north of Kildavnet Castle. There is a T-shaped altar at the eastern end of the church and an aumbry can be found in the north-east corner. Scattered around the graveyard are a number of medieval stone crosses, two of which have been cemented into the cemetery gate-posts. St Dympna's Holy Well sits on the shoreline to the east of the church.