Holy Wells in the Lough Mask Area
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![Page 1: Holy Wells in the Lough Mask Area](https://reader033.fdocuments.net/reader033/viewer/2022042610/568c56181a28ab4916c547b3/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
A Survey of Holy Wells in the Lough Mask Area
by Pat Connolly & Liam Loftus
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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
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Water
• Lake shore location of each of the wells
• Eternal renewable sources of life
• Long-lived location despite transient nature
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Liminality
• Location of the wells – on lake shores, mountain tops or on townland boundaries
• Creates a distinction between sacred and secular Space
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Rocks
• Associated structures around Holy Wells often used to demark sacred space
• Bullaun stones are often present alongside offerings
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Trees
• Old
• Spring from the Earth
• Ash, Oak, Holly, Thorn – Druidic tradition of associated cures
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Tobercolumchille MA109-013
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• Located near Partry on shore of Lough Mask.
• Townland of Ballygary
Tober Columchille
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• Horseshoe or circular, dry-stone enclosure with an inner ledge
• Ancient Ash Tree adjacent
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• 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
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Tobercolumchille
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St. Patrick’s Well MA118-005
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St. Patrick's Well
• Located near Ballinrobe-Ballyglass road
• Townland of Carrownalecka
• Identifiable as a cluster of trees at centre of meadow
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• A large enclosure surrounds the Well – horseshoe in shape
• Banked with clay
• Souterrain indicated about 40m East on SMR
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Tober Phadraig MA118-011
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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
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• 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
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Tobermurry MA118-024
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Tobermurry
• Located on Ballinrobe-Clonbur road in Cavanquarter.
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• 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)
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Killour Springs
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Tobermurry MA120-A008
St. Briget’s Well MA120-A007
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Tobermurry
St. Briget’s Well
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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
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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
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Toberkeelagh MA117-001
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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
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• 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
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• 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
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Holy Well
Rock Art
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Toberkeelagh
Rock Art
Drumcoggy
Rock Art
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Toberkeelagh Rock Art
Drumcoggy Rock Art
Boheh Rock Art
Croagh Patrick
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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