Toberpatrick — Rossalia

On a narrow terrace on the NE face of Abbey Hill with panoramic views to the N. A natural spring emerges from low bedrock terracing and is enclosed by a mortared stone wall (Wth 0.6m; H 1m over the interior) enclosing an area (L 1.6m; Wth 1.5m) with a blocked entrance at NW and an alcove at the NW corner containing votive offerings. The interior face of some of the structural stones bear carvings, inscriptions and graffiti. The largest stone bears 'rock scribing - folk art' in the form of a carved human figure (CL003-021007-). This was reported by Nick Geh who also noted 19th-century graffiti on this slab and on two others. On this slab there is a harp with 'God save Ireland' with the year 1867 as well as the name 'W Williamson, Curranrue, August 3rd 1867'. One of the other slabs bears a Latin inscription 'Libertas et natale solum' with berries and leaves to left and right and a third slab reads 'M. Byrne RIC. AD 1916, Kinvara'. Immediately NE of the well is a subrectangular enclosure (L 13.5m; Wth 5m) defined by a mixture of drystone and mortared stone walling. The foundations of a structure (CL003-021006-) lie c. 10m to the E. A leacht cuimhne or memorial to the Comyn family (CL003-021004-) lies c. 30 to the NNW and it bears a similar carved human face (CL003-021005-) to that within the well (CL003-021007-). According to Coffey (1995, 16-17) the rock scribing at the well was originally part of the leacht. The following images have been uploaded: CL003-021001-_01.jpg View of well from N (photo: Nick Geh) CL003-021001-_02.jpg View of well from NW (photo: Nick Geh) CL003-021001-_03.jpg Carvings/graffiti on upper stone within well (photo: Nick Geh) CL003-021001-_04.jpg Carved human face (CL003-021007-) and graffiti on lower stone within well (photo: Nick Geh) CL003-021001-_05.jpg Slab with 1916 inscription Revised by: Mary Tunney Date of revision: 31 July 2019