Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Holy well known locally as 'St. Bridget's Well' and depicted as 'Toberneeva' on all editions of the OS 6-inch maps. The well stands on the demesne lands of Castle Armstrong. The castle and later demesne house of Castle Armstrong stands 240m to SSW. Natural spring well (dims. 1.7m x 0.76m x 0.5m) inside square-shaped area enclosed by a stone wall with iron gate. The well which was originally stone lined has stone steps leading down to the water. A modern lintel over the well has the words 'St Bridget's Well' carved into its surface. Hazel and hawthorn tress now growing around the edge of the well with evidence of votive offerings. Described in 1977 as a 'sub-circular hollow approx. 1.5-2m deep with a small spring at the base. The northern face of the embankment or scarp above the well is roughly faced with dry stone walling. There is a small stream flowing southwards from the well. This stream is approx. 4m long and dissappears underground to emerge in the field drain further south. An ivy covered alder bush hangs over the well' (ASI file 1977).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 24 June 2015