Holy well in Garrycastle

No surface remains visible of one of four holy wells known as the 'Eye Wells' or 'Tobernasool'. The precise location of this well has not been identified. This well was located in a narrow strip of ground along the N bank of a stream running E-W and N of All Saints Church (OF029-015001-) and graveyard (OF029-015002-). There are a number of hollow depressions in which there are loosely piled stones any one of which may have been a filled in well. One of six holy wells (OF029-015004-/006-/007-/008-/009/010-) depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map where they are shown located immediately to the N of a stream running E-W which at that time was located inside the boundary of the graveyard (OF029-015002-). Two holy wells (OF029-015006-/007-) are depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch as ‘Eye Wells or Tobernasool’. According to the 1838 Ordnance Survey letters there were four 'Eye Wells' but at that time only three were visible as the fourth well had dried up by then. Only two eye wells are outlined on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map. One of these 'Eye Wells' appears to have been located at the E end of the stream adjoining a modern bridge over the stream. The second 'Eye Well' was located a short distance to the NW of this well. The location of these wells was recorded in 1838 by the Ordnance Survey Letters as being ‘a short distance from the Church yard “All Saints Well”, Tobar na Naomh (OF029-015004-), lying at the foot of a large tree which inclines southwards; a few yards to the north of this well is Lady’s Well (OF029-015008-) and a few yards to the east of Lady Well are the small wells called Eye Wells (OF029-015006-/007-/009-/010-); they are three in number. (There were four, but one ran dry). These small wells are called eye wells and head wells, from the circumstances of their water being applied to sore eyes and used as a remedy for head-aches. A patron was held here on SS. Peter and Paul’s day (June 29) and on the Sunday previous to the 1st of August, but it has been discontinued these three years back’ (O’Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 4). In order to obtain a cure for your headache the custom at All Saint's Well was for people to visit the well on three successive days (Logan 1980, 78). 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 by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 05 September 2013

Linked to Saint Gobnait, the well was traditionally associated with cures for eye ailments and skin diseases. The name 'Tobernasool' reflects its connection to Saint Gobnait (Tober meaning well and Nasool being a variant of her name).