Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

On a low SW-facing slope in undulating pasture within a large multiperiod field system (CL009-059001-). Named ‘Tobercameen’ on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map. Labelled ‘Tobar Chaimín eye cure’ on Robinson’s map (1977). This well consists of a subrectangular non-coursed drystone structure (1.25m N–S; 1.17m E–W; max. int. H 1.2m) with an opening at N. At least two steps (Wth 0.6m; D 0.4m) lead down to the well itself, which is defined by a rectangular depression (0.7m E–W; 0.6m N–S). The well was dry on inspection but three statues and a crucifix were noted. The well may be associated with the site of 'Kilcameen Church (CL009-059007-), which appears to have been located within a cashel (CL009-059101-) c. 50m to the N. Several sources have documented a local belief that sore eyes might be cured through the intercession of Saint Caimin by performing certain religious rites here and at the cist (CL009-059009-) located in the SE sector of the cashel (see Rynne 1970; Swinfen 1992, 33; Westropp 1900-1902, 137). In the Ordnance Survey Letters (1839), Eugene Curry recorded that ‘Stations were formerly performed' at the well but that practice was 'now almost given up’ (Comber 1997, 90). An enclosure (CL009-059005-) lies c. 73m to the S and the well-known cashel ‘Caherballykinvarga’ (CL009-059012-) lies c. 254m to the ENE.

Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott

Date of upload: 9 March 2022

References

Rynne, E. 1970 A cure for sore eyes. North Munster Antiquarian Journal 13, 58.

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

Swinfen, A. 1992 Forgotten stones: Ancient church sites of the Burren and environs. Dublin. Lilliput Press.

Westropp, T.J. 1900-02 The churches of Co. Clare and the origin of the ecclesiastical divisions in that county. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Series 3, vol. 6, 100-180.

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.