Tobermacduagh

In hazel forest c. 14m to the NE of ‘St Mac Duagh’s church’ (CL006-023001-). Indicated and named ‘Tobermacduagh’ on the 1842 and 1915 eds. of the OS 6-inch maps. A holy well fed by a bifurcating stream, one branch of which is overlain by a D-shaped enclosure (int. dims. 1.3m N–S; 1.2m E–W along its straight S side) defined by a drystone wall (H over int. 1.8m; Wth 0.8m) with a lintelled ope (Wth 0.6m; H 0.8m) in its S wall. There is a small niche on its E side, beside the entrance. At the time of survey (1997), it contained a deposit of oyster shells. The well now attracts considerably more offerings, most of which are ribbons tied to a nearby tree (Kirby 2016). There are two penitential stations to the SSW, one (CL006-023003-) in the E end of the church and the other (CL006-023009-) just to its N, a hermitage cave (CL006-023004-) c. 40m SW and a possible bullaun stone (CL006-023006-) just 10m N of it, and a graveyard (CL006-023002-) c. 30m SSE. All these remains may be contained within an enclosure (CL006-023010-), but this this is difficult to trace through the forest. The following images have been uploaded: CL006-023005-_01.jpg View of well from SE CL006-023005-_02.jpg View of lintelled ope at well Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 13 May 2021

Tobermacduagh is associated with St Mac Duagh, a 7th-century Irish saint known for his ascetic practices and connection to several holy sites in Leitrim. The well was traditionally visited for healing and as part of seasonal rituals, with its waters believed to have curative properties, particularly for eye ailments and general wellness.