Well

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on a W-facing slope, at townland boundary between Carrownreddy and Sadleirswells. There is no visible trace of this well above ground. It is named on the 1st (1840) ed. OS 6-inch map as 'Black Well'. The ground is poorly drained on either side of the townland boundary (Wth c. 1.5m). There is no local information of a well at this location, however it is frequently noted as a wet area. According to Flynn (1913, 8-9) 'Tubber Bryan' was the name of an old well 'which existed some 200 yards from the mote on Tipperary Hills, but which is now closed up'. It was so named because of a tradition that 'Brian Boro washed his wounds there after the battle of Sulcoit' (ibid.). Sadleirswells townland was, in the 17th century and probably earlier, called Tobberbrien (Down Survey map (1655-6) Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin). This townland also appears as 'Tobberbryen' in the Civil Survey (1654-5) (Simington 1934 vol. 2, 38).
A re-evaluation of the evidence suggests that it is likely that Flynn’s estimate of distance was erroneous and that the well which gave the townland its earlier name is the ‘King’s Well’ (TS059-204----), situated c. 1km NNE of the motte.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of revised upload: 6 March 2023

References

Simington, R.C. (ed.) 1934 The Civil survey, AD 1654-1656. Vol. II: county of Tipperary - Western and Northern baronies. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.

Flynn, P. 1913 Ancient mounds and earthworks near Tipperary. North Munster Antiquarian Journal 3, no.1, 5-21.