St Patrick’s Chair and Well

Overview

St Patrick’s Chair and Well lies in a quiet glen of the People’s Millennium Forest, known locally as Altadaven Glen, just outside the village of Augher in County Tyrone. The site is dominated by a massive 2‑metre sandstone block that has been naturally shaped – and perhaps lightly carved – into a throne‑like chair. Directly beneath the chair sits a shallow depression in another rock, the classic bullaun that forms the holy well. Surrounded by ferns, moss‑covered stones and a pair of rag‑trees, the setting feels like a pocket of ancient Ireland preserved in the modern world.

The attraction is free, open year‑round and requires no ticket. It is set on private farmland, but the landowner permits public access provided visitors respect the gates and keep the area tidy. A short, unpaved path leads from a modest roadside parking space to the chair, offering a peaceful walk that is especially rewarding for those interested in early Christian lore, Celtic mythology, or simply a quiet spot for contemplation.

Name, Landscape and History

Altadaven is an Anglicised form of the Irish Alt an Dáibhín, meaning “the Demons’ Cliff”. Folklore tells of St Patrick driving demons from the cliff into the abyss, a story that gives the glen its dramatic reputation. The area was once part of the Favour Royal Demesne, a grant made by King James I in 1611 to Sir Thomas Ridgeway. In the early 2000s the woodland was replanted as part of the People’s Millennium Forest scheme, restoring native species to the landscape.

The stone chair has been recorded since the late 19th century. A Catholic priest’s 1898 account describes a “gigantic high‑backed seat” eight feet high, carved from a single boulder. The bullaun well, a 25 cm (10‑in) depression, is said never to run dry and is traditionally linked to the cure of warts. Cup‑marks on nearby rocks hint at prehistoric activity. In 2024 the monument received Scheduled Historic Monument status, securing legal protection for the chair, the well and the surrounding archaeological features.

Legends and Folklore

Local tradition blends druidic, pagan and Christian elements. Early stories speak of the site as a druidic ritual space, later re‑interpreted after St Patrick’s arrival in the 5th century. The rag‑trees beside the well are still used for cloth‑strip offerings, a practice that may trace back to Lughnasa celebrations and the ancient custom of tying tokens to trees for healing. The last Sunday in July has historically been known as Blaeberry Sunday, when locals gathered bilberries (blæberries) from the glen as part of the harvest festival.

The Voices from the Dawn site describes a nearby “Pinnacle Rock” (Spink‑ana‑gaev) that crowns the landscape above the well, adding to the sense of a powerful place. Historical accounts also note that the glen may have originally been dedicated to St Brigid (or the pre‑Christian goddess Brighid) before being re‑christianised, reflecting the layered spiritual history of the landscape.

Literary and Cultural References

The chair and well have inspired writers and modern storytellers. William Carleton mentioned the glen in his 1881 tale Shane Fadh’s Wedding, describing a meeting of youths at “St Patrick’s Chair”. More recently, the site is featured in a virtual‑reality tour on the Voices from the Dawn website, allowing visitors to explore the chair, the bullaun and the surrounding rag‑trees online.

Walking Routes and Access

The chair and well sit on the Ulster Way footpath, making them a natural stop for long‑distance walkers. The popular 12.4 km loop described on Visorando starts in Aughnacloy, follows quiet lanes, crosses the River Blackwater, passes through the Favour Royal Forest gate and emerges at the car park on Altadaven Road (BT77 0HS). The walk is moderate, with an ascent of about 184 m; the final stretch to the site climbs a steep rise of roughly 30 m.

The route also forms part of the broader Sliabh Beagh Way network, offering options to extend the hike towards the Sperrin foothills or to link with other nearby forest walks.

Step‑by‑step from Aughnacloy (Visorando guide)

1. Start at the bus stop on Moor Street, Aughnacloy (BT69 6AX).
2. Follow Ravella Road south‑west for ~2 km, crossing the River Blackwater.
3. Turn right onto a small lane, then left at the next T‑junction to a painted church in Cavan.
4. Continue north on L113, then north again for 1.5 km to the forest gate.
5. Pass through the wooden gate and turnstile into the People’s Millennium Forest, following the track past a footbridge.
6. After the second footbridge, follow the forest track to the C653 road and climb beside Altadaven Wood.
7. The car park and the chair sit at the southern end of the wood.

Getting there

• By car: From the A5 near Claudy or Augher, follow the C653 to the Altadaven turn‑off. A small roadside lay‑by provides limited parking; park considerately and avoid blocking farm gates.
• Public transport: The nearest bus stop is in Aughnacloy (Moor Street, BT69 6AX). From there, the walk can be completed on foot as detailed above.
• Trail markers: Look for the wooden gate and turnstile marking the entrance to the People’s Millennium Forest. Signage is minimal, so a GPS coordinate (54.391428 N, ‑7.080857 W) or a printed map is advisable.

Events & Seasonal Highlights

• Blaeberry Sunday (last Sunday in July) – Bilberries are at their ripest, making a gentle foraging walk a pleasant addition to the visit.
• Lughnasadh (early August) – Historically the glen hosted Lughnasadh celebrations; visitors can still experience the ancient harvest atmosphere.
• Early morning and twilight – The moss‑covered stones catch soft light, creating a reflective atmosphere ideal for photography.
• Spring wildflowers – Bluebells and primroses carpet the forest floor, adding colour to the walk.

Virtual Reality Experience

A 3‑D virtual‑reality tour of St Patrick’s Chair and Well is available on the Voices from the Dawn website. The interactive experience lets you explore the chair, the bullaun well and the rag‑trees from anywhere in the world – useful for planning a visit or for those unable to travel.

Safety & Visitor Tips

• The approach is grassy, uneven and can be slippery when wet; sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
• The site is not wheelchair‑accessible; steep steps lead to the chair and well.
• Dogs are welcome but should be kept on a lead and owners asked to tidy up after them.
• Offerings at the well should be modest – a small coin or a short strip of cloth – and placed respectfully on the rag‑trees.
• No drinking water is provided; bring your own refreshments.
• As the area is on private farmland, close any gates you open and avoid littering.

What to See & Do

• The Stone Chair – Sit on the flat sandstone seat and, if you wish, make a silent wish. Tradition holds that you must remain silent until you reach the nearby stile for the wish to be granted.
• The Holy Well – The bullaun stone collects rainwater that locals claim never runs dry. While the water is not recommended for drinking, many visitors leave small offerings – coins, cloth strips, or rosaries – as a sign of respect.
• Stations of the Cross – A short, lined path with wooden benches leads from the chair down to the well. The stations provide a meditative route for pilgrims and are often used for quiet reflection.
• Rag Trees – Two native trees near the well are adorned with cloth strips and other tokens left by visitors seeking healing.
• Scenic Views – The glen opens onto gentle slopes of the Sperrin Mountains, offering panoramic vistas that are especially striking at sunrise or dusk.
• Local Wildlife – A friendly farm dog often greets visitors; keep a few treats handy if you’d like a brief canine companion.

Nearby Attractions

• Beaghmore Stone Circles – A short drive north brings you to this impressive Bronze‑Age complex of stone circles and standing stones.
• Drum Manor Forest Park and House – Offers further woodland walks, a historic house and a café, ideal for extending a day out in the Sperrin area.
• Clogher – The historic village where St Patrick is believed to have based his early missionary work; a good stop for a coffee and a glimpse of early Christian heritage.
• Baronscourt – The grand 18th‑century estate lies a short drive away and provides additional historic interest and walking grounds.

Practical Information

To reach the site, follow Altinure Road (sometimes listed as Altadaven Road) from the A5 near Claudy or Augher. GPS coordinates are 54.391428 N, ‑7.080857 W; the nearest postcode is BT77 0HS. Signage is minimal, so a detailed map or a quick call to the visitor information centre can prevent getting lost.

Because the land is privately owned, visitors are asked to close any gates they open, avoid litter, and refrain from disturbing the natural flora. Offerings at the well should be modest and respectful; the tradition is to leave only a small token.

The best time to experience the spiritual ambience is during the early morning light or at twilight, when the moss‑covered stones glow softly and the surrounding forest sounds create a hushed atmosphere.

Virtual Tour

A 3‑D virtual‑reality tour of St Patrick’s Chair and Well is available on the Voices from the Dawn website. The interactive experience lets you explore the chair, the bullaun well and the rag‑trees from anywhere in the world – useful for planning a visit or for those unable to travel.