What is recorded here

Tobernashelmida is a well in Knocknaganny, County Sligo, Ireland. Thomas O'Conor recorded in 1836 that prophetic tradition claims the water will one day overwhelm the town and that a snail emerges every seventh year. No local tradition or published literature identifies it as a holy well.

This well is first recorded as an antiquity on the 1st ed. OS 6-inch map where it is named ‘Tobernashelmida’. Thomas O’Conor recorded the following about the well in 1836 (OSL, 211): ‘There is a well in the Town of Sligo called Tobar na Seilmide, Snail’s Well, which, prophetic tradition says, will in time to come overwhelm by its waters the whole town. The reason why it is called Tobar na Selmide is, a snail is seen coming out of the well every seventh year, which is thought to be an enchanted and metamorphosed being, possessing the power of affecting in some time future an overflowing well, which will have the narrated effect.’ There is no local tradition of it being a ‘holy well’ nor is it listed as such in the published historical or antiquarian literature (pers. comm. M.A. Timoney). Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 5 November 2013

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