What is recorded here

Tobernanarm is a holy well hidden in reclaimed Galway marshland, feeding the Bellanabradaun stream while modern housing presses close on three sides. It appeared as a choked natural spring with no visible votive offerings, suggesting the water still flows but the old rituals have faded from plain sight. The name Tobernanarm has survived on maps since 1838, preserving a place that measurement and marriage of memory have nearly erased.

In reclaimed marshland. Named ‘Tobernanarm’ in Gothic script on the 1838 and 1920 editions of the 6-inch OS maps. On inspection it appeared to be a natural spring well, choked with weeds, where no votive offerings were visible. The spring fed a stream named ‘Bellanabradaun’. The site is now bordered my modern housing developments to the W, N and E, and is marked ‘Open Well’ on the current OSi digital mapping. (O’Flanagan 1927, Vol. 1, 311) Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 18 April 2023

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