Old Tree

Toberavilla/Tobar an Bhile (KE106-032003-) is spring well is located c. 30m WNW of Kilcrohane Medieval church and graveyard (KE106-032001-). An ash tree, marked 'Old Tree' on the first edition of the OS map, formerly stood beside the well and was locally reputed to mark the grave of St Crohane. The well and sacred tree or bile formed the principal assembly point of the three-day pattern formerly held in this parish in honour of St Crohane (OSL; Ó Cíobháin 1984a, 23-4). This is considered by MacNeill to have been originally a Lughnasa pilgrimage-assembly (1962, 648-50), and commenced on July 29th, Oíche Chrócháin. It included a turas or pilgrimage from Kilcrohane up to Windy Gap, close to the summit of Eagles Hill, where another holy well, Tobar na Bearnan (KE098-086----), is located. En route rounds were also made at Tobercrohane well (KE106-029002-). The pattern has been in decline from the mid-nineteenth century, and since the 1940s Toberavilla has rarely been visited. See attached photograph of Toberavilla and Turas Chrócháin, Co. Kerry, taken 1946 by Caoimhín Ó Danachair courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F025.18.00005 accessible online at https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/24632. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 1054. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 12 April 2022

Linked to Saint Bheaghnáin (Behaghane), the well is traditionally associated with cures for skin ailments and general healing. The presence of an ancient ash tree nearby may reflect local beliefs in the tree's protective or sacred qualities, common in early Irish Christian and pagan traditions.