Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Ritual site - holy well
Aghamore Near, County Sligo, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Aghamore Near
- County
- Sligo
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Toberanalt
- Latest-edition OS map
- Tober an Aillt
- Coordinates
- 54.24395, -8.44620
- SMR number
- SL014-238----
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1790 "Composite: Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
In a wooded area, beside a N-S flowing stream, on the S side of a steep wooded hill.This holy well is called 'Tobernalt'. It is enclosed within a circular setting (diam. 2.15) defined by a stone wall (H 2.27m; wall T 0.5m), which has an entrance to the SE (Wth 0.63m). The surrounding area has been landscaped. There is what is known locally as a 'Mass Rock' or altar (SL014-238002-) 5.5m to the SE of the well. Among plaques of modern date, affixed to the internal walls of the holy well, is a sandstone cross (H 0.43m; W 0.19m; T 0.06m), with a circular head. The site also contains statues and stations of the cross of modern date. A holly tree hung with votive offerings and rags stands on high ground to the NW of the holy well. Locally it is said that the mass rock was used to say mass in penal times and there has been a revival in recent years, with an annual mass being said by the Bishop of Elphin at 6am on Garland Sunday (last Sunday in July). Though no cures were recorded, it is locally believed that the waters of the stream cure blindness. The holy well is very well attended at all times.
Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan
Date of upload: 21 April 2011
Nearby in the register
- Crossunder 1 mi
- Mass-rockunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
- Ringfort - cashelunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.