What is recorded here

Tobermacduagh is a holy well in County Galway where people still performed the Turas when Fahey recorded it in 1893. The drystone chamber sits at the foot of a steep slope, filled with stones rather than water, beside an 1820 cross and two other covered springs. It is not a grand shrine but a stubborn local marker, the kind of place where neighbourhood faith keeps repeating itself long after the water stops being obvious.

At the foot of a steep S-facing slope in rough pastureland. This spring well, named 'Tobermacduagh' on the OS 6-inch maps, is defined by an overgrown rectangular drystone chamber (L 3.7m; Wth 3.2m; H 0.9m). It is filled with stones and no relics or votive offerings were noted. When recorded by Fahey (1893, 112-3) the 'Turas' associated with it was still being observed. Circa 5m to the SE is a small cairn (6.5m E-W; 5m N-S; H 1m) surmounted by a cross (GA113-010002-) dated 1820. Two other covered spring wells lie c. 15m to the W and c. 22m to the SW respectively. (Kelly 1914, 115-16) Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 2 January 2019

Tobermacduagh is traditionally associated with St MacDuagh, an early Irish Christian saint venerated for his healing miracles. The well was historically visited for its supposed curative powers, particularly for eye ailments and general infirmities, with rituals often involving the immersion of cloths or coins in the water.

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