Discover Alone, back to main map

Holy well in Mám An Gharráin

Holy well

What is recorded here

An Tobar Caoch hid inside Mám An Gharráin, subject to a warning rather than an invitation. A mean old woman threw crumbs into the water to deny them to birds, but the well withdrew when she drank. It left her blind, and the village kept the story because cruelty had broken the bargain.
An Tobar Caoch: The precise location of this well has not been identified. There is a vague tradition that it was a holy well (Ó Danachair 1960, 78). Ó Danachair (1960, 78) recorded the following details about this well; ' "An Tobar Caoch". There is a vague tradition that it was a holy well. Legend: A mean old woman threw crumbs into the well so that the birds should not get them; when she tried to drink the well dried up. She was struck blind'. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 958. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

What survives
Recorded monument

Places near here

Add to this placeAdd a picture Comment or add a tip

Explore 1,118,481 places