Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

In a hollow in woodland, overshadowed by laurel trees, immediately N of rough pasture, with coniferous forestry to NE. According to Curry in 1839 (OSL, vol. 2, 282) ‘There is a holy well in the townland of Uggoon Upper called Tobar-Mhic Seaain, i.e. The Well of the Son of John, at which stations still continue to be performed…’. This monument is depicted and named ‘Tobermacshane’ on all OS historic mapping. It is accessed from the rough pasture field, via a small gate. It consists of an oval area (1.7m NE-SW; 2.5m NW-SE) defined by a low, moss-covered drystone wall (int. H 0.65m to present water level; ext. H 0.4m; T 0.45m) which has a narrow entrance (Wth 0.4m) at E. Several rough steps lead down into the well. The base of the well is 0.6m below the current water level and is deeper in the centre than around the perimeter. The water is crystal clear and has a small outflow to NE. A small, roughly triangular basin (1.1m NW-SE; 0.55m NE-SW) is located within the well at SW, just above the present water level. A timber grotto clad with a light plastic board is NE-facing, on top of the wall, above the triangular basin. The grotto contains many statues of Our Lady, along with tea-light candles, a jar of coins, rosary beads, a photograph of Lourdes, a Child of Prague, a crucifix and other votive offerings. According to local information, the feast day for rounds at the well is 15th August, the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady. The well is reputed to have a cure for eyes.

The following images have been uploaded:
CL027-012----_01.jpg From E. View of holy well.
CL027-012----_02.jpg From ESE. View of holy well.
CL027-012----_03.jpg From NE. Timber grotto with statuettes and votive offerings.
CL027-012----_04.jpg From SE. Access gate into area of well.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney, Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly

Date of upload: 5 December 2018

References

OSL - Ordnance Survey Letters. Letters written by members of the Ordnance Survey's 'Topographical Department' (T. O'Conor, A. O'Curry, E. Curry, J. O'Donovan and P. O'Keeffe) sent to headquarters from the field (1834-41). MSS in Royal Irish Academy.