What is recorded here

Indicated is a holy well beside Leamaneh Castle in County Clare, Ireland. Its water may have filled the castle fish-ponds, linking prayer, household life and the rhythm of the garden. The chamber is small, stone-built and partly hidden, yet it still points to a time when people trusted clear water to sustain both body and belief.

Situated 60m SE of Leamaneh Castle (CL016-032002-/CL016-032003-) and just outside the walled garden (CL016-032001-). Indicated on the 1840 OS 6-inch map and named ‘Tobermarteen’ on the 1916 edition. Listed as a blessed well opposite Leamaneh Castle (Doolan 1991, 169) and named ‘Tobar Mhartáin’. A large trapezoidal area (2.7m E-W; 2.4m N-S; D 1m, deepest at E) with drystone walls one of which (at E) is curved. It is covered over by a large slab. There are no local traditions of a holy well here. The well appears to have fed the fish-ponds (CL016-032010-) within the walled garden to the E. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 7 November 2018

Linked to St. Martin (Maarten or Marteen), the well is traditionally associated with cures for skin ailments and general healing. The name "Tobermarteen" (Well of St. Martin) reflects a widespread medieval tradition connecting the saint with holy wells across Ireland, often marked by spring festivals and ritual washing.

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