Mamore Gap is an area of outstanding beauty in one of the most scenic parts of Donegal. It can be found on the Inishowen Peninsula in the North of the county.
The descent from Mamore Gap provides panoramic views of hills on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. For the more adventurous minded there are paths in the gap which lead onto breath-taking hill walks along the ridges of the Urris Hills, though beware it is a difficult walk and advice should be sought before going up there.
St Eigne’s Well can be found at the top of the gap, it is a holy well which people from all over the world travel to see. For centuries people have been making pilgrimages to Donegal specifically for St Eigne’s Well.
The stone at the well states that St. Eigne was one of the Céile Dé, they were most likely Druids who saw the coming of The Christ Consciousness and are accredited as having preached in both Ireland and Scotland long before the first missionaries.
Holiday Homes in Inishowen
A reference to the Céile Dé can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters which is dated as far back as 806AD. It was written by four monks in Donegal Town, an obelisk commemorating them lays in Donegal town centre.
Beside the well there is a grotto to Mary the Mother of God. It is the centre point of an annual mass held here on the 15th August which commemorates pagan times when locals were forced to practice their religion in secrecy due to fear of persecution from the authorities.
The Mamore Gap was once the only gateway between Buncrana and Urris. Its steep road is sheltered 700 feet on either side by the hill of Mamore on the east and on the west the hill of Craogh Carragh. Raghtin More can be found to the North East standing at a towering 1657 feet.