Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture on the Burren plateau, at the S base of a low E–W ridge, within a multiperiod field system (CL009-001001-). Indicated and named ‘Tobercolman’ on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. The OS Letters note that this well was ‘called after St. Colman’ (Comber 1997, 73). Recorded by Robinson (1977) as ‘Tobar Cholmáin’. It is a natural spring enclosed by a wellhouse (2.9m NE–SW; 2m NW–SE; H 0.7–1m) constructed of squared random-coursed drystone walls and a lintelled roof. Cairn material is packed externally against the structure. It opens to the SE. A passage (L 0.9m; Wth 0.6–0.85m) with steps leads down to a rectangular well chamber (int. dims. 1.35m NE–SW; 0.65–0.8m NW–SE; H 1.75m). The lowest step is 0.2m above the water, which is c. 0.1m deep. Alcoves in the chamber at NW (H 0.34m; Wth 0.4m; D 0.3m), NE (H 0.2m; Wth 0.45m; D 0.15m) and SW (H 0.3m; Wth 0.4m; D 0.34m) contain statues and other offerings. According to local information, the well was used as a cure for headaches. A penitential station (CL009-006002-) lies c. 2m to the N and a hut site (CL009-006003-) lies c. 2m to the S. There is an enclosure (CL009-007----) c. 94m to the E.

The following images have been attached:
CL009-006001- (interior).jpg
CL009-006001- (looking NW).jpg

Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott

Date of upload: 18 October 2021

References

Robinson, T. 1977 (revised 1999) The Burren: a two-inch map of the uplands of north-west Clare. Map scale 1:31680. Roundstone: Folding Landscapes.

Comber, M. (ed.) 1997 The antiquities of County Clare: John O’Donovan and Eugene Curry: Ordnance Survey Letters 1839. Clasp Press. Ennis.