Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

At the bottom of a S-facing slope, just SW of the main Killinaboy-Corrofin road (R476). Indicated and labelled ‘Toberinneenboy’ on both the first (1842) and Cassini (1920) editions of the OS 6-inch map, and is dedicated to the local saint Iníon Baoith (Houlihan 2021). This small subcircular holy well (diam. 1.1m) is defined by a wall (Wth 0.45m; int. H 0.95m above water) which has been restored and mortared, with a slightly splayed entrance gap (int. Wth 0.4m; ext. Wth 0.55m) at SW. Covering the well is a gabled roof built of Liscannor flagstones on a wooden frame (L 1.45m, NE-SW) with three ceramic ridge tiles. Just to the NW of the well is a large deciduous tree, on the bole of which is affixed a wooden shrine/miniature grotto with a statue of Mary against a painted backdrop of rocks, vegetation and blue sky. The well and tree are within a small rectangular enclosure (int. dims. 10m N-S; 7m E-W) defined by a drystone wall with a stile at E. The enclosed area is surfaced with gravel laid on black plastic and a seat against the wall at N consists of a cut limestone slab (L 1.25m; Wth 0.4m; T 0.09m) with milled edges resting on two cement blocks. 

 

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Conn Herriott 

 

Date of upload: 10-10-2025

References

Houlihan, M. 2021 Toberinneenboy, Toberinnboy or Tobar Iníon Baoith, Anneville, Killinaboy Parish. The Clare Holy Wells Project. Available @ Toberinneenboy, Toberinnboy or Tobar Iníon Baoith, Anneville, Killinaboy Parish - County Clare Heritage Office