Tory Island / Toraigh

St Brigid's Oratory / Ulaí Bhríde

I am surprised to find this altar is not mentioned on the National monuments database, it is known to locals as St Brigid's Altar. They believe it's all that remains from a small oratory dedicated to the saint. The altar/leacht is also associated with St Colmcille, a chalice now on display at Raphoe Diocesan Archive in Letterkenny, is said to have been kept at this site. Known as St Colmcille's Chalice or the Tory Chalice, the small cubic shaped cup is carved from basalt and may have been studded with precious stones. Traditionally women would drink from the chalice during a difficult childbirth.

At the present time a number of quern stones are situated on the top of the altar, these were used for grinding corn. Lying next to a modern shrine on the island, also dedicated to St Brigid, is another large quern stone or possible bullaun stone.