Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

In level pasture, c. 50m W of the Mullaghaghanoe River.
Spring well, named ‘Toberarraght’ on the 1838 and 1920 OS 6-inch maps, enclosed within a concrete surround, with a small hole in the concrete giving access to the water. Four concrete pillars support a flat stone slab which provides a cover for the well hole. According to local information, the well was originally enclosed by a stone wall, which was replaced by the current concrete fixtures in 1954 for the Marion Year.
The well is dedicated to St. Attracta, and the traditional pattern day is on 11th August (OS Letters 1838, 375 (154)). Adjacent to the well there is a concrete-built shrine enclosing a modern statue of St. Attracta. According to local information, water from the well was reputed to cure eye complaints. The well was dry at time of visit.
A small cross-inscribed stone slab (Wth 0.24m; H 0.3m) is cemented into the concrete shrine. Engraved on the slab are a simple cross rising from a triangular base, and the date 1767. According to local information, the cross-engraved slab was originally located on top of a pillar-like dry-stone structure (MA063-043001-) which once stood immediately to S of the well.
There is a rough heap of stones a few meters to NW of the well. A plain, flat thin slab (L 1.25,; Wth 0.61m; T 5cm) lies on the ground adjacent to the heap of stones.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 2 October 2020