A Survey of Holy Wells in the Lough Mask Area by Pat Connolly & Liam Loftus
Tobercolumchille MA109-013
St. Patrick’s Well MA118-005
Toberkeelagh MA117-001
Tober Phadraig Tobermurry MA118-011 MA118-024 St. Briget’s Well MA120-A007 Tobermurry MA120-A008
Killour Springs
Water • Lake shore location of each of the wells • Eternal renewable sources of life • Long-lived location despite transient nature
Liminality • Location of the wells – on lake shores, mountain tops or on townland boundaries • Creates a distinction between sacred and secular Space
Rocks • Associated structures around Holy Wells often used to demark sacred space • Bullaun stones are often present alongside offerings
Trees • Old • Spring from the Earth • Ash, Oak, Holly, Thorn – Druidic tradition of associated cures
Tobercolumchille MA109-013
Tober Columchille • Located near Partry on shore of Lough Mask. • Townland of Ballygary
• Horseshoe or circular, drystone enclosure with an inner ledge • Ancient Ash Tree adjacent
• Offerings evident, Virgin Mary statues, holy water bottles, rosary beads and homemade crosses • Entrance and Dock on Lake Shore • Consists of 2 parallel stone walls
Tobercolumchille
St. Patrick’s Well MA118-005
St. Patrick's Well • Located near Ballinrobe-Ballyglass road • Townland of Carrownalecka • Identifiable as a cluster of trees at centre of meadow
• A large enclosure surrounds the Well – horseshoe in shape • Banked with clay • Souterrain indicated about 40m East on SMR
Tober Phadraig MA118-011
Tober Phadraig • Located in the townland of Bawn • Identified as a substantial cluster of overgrowth in a large 4-acre field • Important site in pre-Christian and early-Christian times
• Mounds or ‘stations’ for the pattern around the well – 2 remain • Site used for mass during Penal Times • Evidence of earlyChristian activity on the site • Written records mention 3 large slabs of rock with the imprints of St. Patrick’s knees and crosier
Tobermurry MA118-024
Tobermurry • Located on Ballinrobe-Clonbur road in Cavanquarter.
• Original Well on opposite side of the road to Modern Shrine • According to local folklore blocked up by Soldiers during Penal Days but miraculously sprang up on the other side of the road shortly afterwards • Today, no standing remains except for stone lining (3ft X 2½ft)
Killour Springs
St. Briget’s Well MA120-A007 Tobermurry MA120-A008
St. Briget’s Well Tobermurry
Tobermurry • Located in a seminatural oak woodland, adjacent to St. Briget’s Well • Drystone construction • Holly tree and old Aak tree are located at the corners of the site • No longer in use
St. Briget's Well • Difficult to locate • No above-ground remains • Consists of a holly bush growing in the middle of a sunken site (about 6ft X 12ft)
• Used to provide a cure for pregnant women • Located below Cill Bhríde graveyard – long history of Christian activity
Toberkeelagh MA117-001
Toberkeelagh Old Road
Present-Day Road
• Located on shore of Lough Mask at base of Drumcoggy Mountain • An Cheapaigh Dhuibh Thiar • Gets its name from Caolach – ‘A Narrow Stripe of Land’ • Historic OSI Map shows a change in nearby roadway in recent years
• Site itself is quite overgrown • Well structure visible above ground • 3 sides of dry-stone construction • Blocked-up entrance from nearby roadway • Step-stones located to South of the well about 30ft away
• Beside this entrance is a stone carved with cup and rings marks • Carvings may be related to the better known Rock Art on Drumcoggy Mountains or even the Boheh Stone near Westport. • Reinforces the preChristian use of site
Holy Well Rock Art
Drumcoggy Rock Art
Toberkeelagh Rock Art
Croagh Patrick Boheh Rock Art
Drumcoggy Rock Art
Toberkeelagh Rock Art
Conclusion • Evidence of long continuity in the landscape but also a long history of use • Originally began as a Folklore Project but there was little information regarding existing holy wells • Any information would be greatly appreciated to bring these sites to life