Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

Holy well depicted as 'Tobernacogany' on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map. In the field north of the road from St. Feichin's church (WM004-035003-). A holed stone of conglomerate is deeply buried in the ground beside this well. The "wishing tree", known locally as the tree that will not burn, is in the same field (Bradley et. al. 1985, 94). In the 19th century stations were performed at this well on the 2oth of January, St. Feichin's day, St. John's Day, 24th of June, and St. Peter's Day, the 29th of June. It was the local custom to insert a coin edgeways into the bark of the ash tree with three branches growing over the well. According to local tradition the wood from the ash tree will not burn, the water from the well will not boil. The water was used as a local cure for headache and toothache.

Compiled and updated by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 21 April 2015

References

ASIAP - Archaeological Survey of Ireland Aerial Photographs (c. 1996 - c. 2010).

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H. 1985 Urban archaeological survey - county Westmeath. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.