Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Coomanaspig Well/Tobar Chúm an Easpaig: This well is located on the roadside on the N facing slope of Kilkeaveragh mountain. It is defined by two side slabs and a covering lintel, on the upper surface of which is a faintly incised linear cross. A short paved path leads to the well, with one of its slabs featuring a deeply incised cross. An upright slab in front of the well, measuring .6m x .35m, is similarly incised. The site is also known as St John's Well and is referred to by An Seabhac (1954, 28) as the Well of the Nine Bishops (Tobar na Naoi nEaspag). Rounds were formerly made here on the 29th September as part of the turas or pilgrimage which commenced at the pattern held at St Michael's Well, Dungeagan (KE097-029----), and which also involved visits to St Buonia's Well (KE088-027004-) and St Finan's Well (KE096-007----), both in The Glen (Delap 1911, 411).

See attached colour photographs courtesy of Amanda Clarke.

The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1062. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 30 July 2013

References

Seabhac, An. 1939 Triocha-Céad Chorca Dhuibhne. Dublin.

Delap, M.J. 1911 Some holy wells in Valencia and Portmagee. Kerry Archaeological Magazine 1, 403-14.