A Survey of Holy Wells in the Lough Mask Area

by Pat Connolly & Liam Loftus

Tobercolumchille MA109-013

St. Patrick’s Well MA118-005

Tober Phadraig MA118-011 Tobermurry

MA118-024

Tobermurry MA120-A008

St. Briget’s Well MA120-A007

Toberkeelagh MA117-001

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

• Located near Partry on shore of Lough Mask.

• Townland of Ballygary

Tober Columchille

• Horseshoe or circular, dry-stone 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 early-Christian 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

Tobermurry MA120-A008

St. Briget’s Well MA120-A007

Tobermurry

St. Briget’s Well

Tobermurry

• Located in a semi-natural 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

• 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

Old Road

Present-Day Road

• 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 pre-Christian use of site

Holy Well

Rock Art

Toberkeelagh

Rock Art

Drumcoggy

Rock Art

Toberkeelagh Rock Art

Drumcoggy Rock Art

Boheh Rock Art

Croagh Patrick

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