
Why this matters
St. Moling's Well is associated with St. Moling, an early Irish Christian saint known for his ascetic life and connection to water sites. The well was traditionally visited for its healing properties, particularly for ailments related to the stomach and skin.
What is recorded here
St Moling's Well in the parish of Tallaght is a natural spring well which lies in a marshy hollow. It is dedicated to St. Moling (Ó Danachair 1958, 85). The OS Letters describe it as a blessed well called Tobar Moling beside a burying ground which had been in use up to the 1830's (O'Flanagan 1927, 39). No longer venerated.
Folklore collected from Saggart School recorded the following details about this well; 'There are three holy wells near the village of Saggart. These are called St. Patrick's Well [DU021-045----], Tobar Seanáin [DU021-043----] and Tobar Moling [DU021-051----]. Tobar Moling is situated in the townland of Saggart. It is situated in a field owned by Mr. Shield. People who visited it long ago and those who were cured often left medals and bandages at it' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0793, Pages 3-4; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4428211/4386277). Folklore collected from this school stated that; 'Tobar Moling is in the townland of Corballas. It is in Chields field. The water in it is still clear and it is used for household purposes. People do not go visiting it now' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0793, Page 33; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4428211/4386297).
Another story collected in 1938 from Saggart School about this well recorded that; 'Holy wells are to be found in many parts of the country, but there are three particular wells near the village of Saggart. They are known as, Saint Patrick's Well, Tobar Seanáin and Tobar Moling. Tobar Moling is about half an hours walk from Saggart. It is in a field which is owned by Mr. Childes. In the well there is a cure for many diseases. Many of the people that were cured in the well left the old bandage on the branches of an old tree which is growing near the well' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0793, Pages 53-4; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4428211/4386320)
Compiled by: Geraldine Stout
Revised by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of revised upload: 20 April 2023
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