Toberfinan — An Tearmann

The holy well marked Toberfinan on the 2nd and 3rd editions of the OS 6-inch maps appears to be marked in the wrong location which may explain why it was not located by the Archaeological Survey of Donegal. The well is located on wet poorly drained marshy land and consists of a natural spring well that is partially enclosed by a low stone cairn. In 1976 it was recorded that 'the well furthest from the church had a few votive offerings placed about it, including rags' (Kelly 2002, 26). No traces of any rags or other votive offerings are visible today. A second holy well (DG048-007----) marked Tobercrone is located 240m to E and Templecrone church (DG048-008001-) and graveyard (DG048-008003-) are 370m to the E. The two holy wells along with the holy stone or penitential station (DG048-008002-) and the church (DG048-008001-) and graveyard (DG048-008003-) are all associated with the turas to Templecrone. According to local information a third holy well (DG048-005----) on the island of Illancrone located 2.1km to the W, also formed part of the turas to Templecrone (pers. comm. 21/1/2011). An old disused roadway or track defined by two drystone walls running E-W located 40m N of this holy well appears to be the original roadway associated with the Turas of Templecrone (Dedalus 2010, 14). This roadway is indicated on the current and first editions of the OS six-inch maps. The Turas consisted of a visit to the holy wells (DG048-007----) and to the holy stone (DG048-008002-) at Templecrone on the 7th of July which is the feastday of St Chróine, the patron saint of Templecrone church (DG048-008001-). The route and ceremony of the turas is described in the History of the Diocese of Rahpoe as, ‘The turas is performed by saying seven Our Fathers and seven Hail Marys at the Holy Well (DG048-007----), repeating the same prayers at the pile of stones (DG048-008002-) near the churchyard (DG048-008003-), and reciting the Rosary continuously while the circuit is being traversed. A portable stone (DG048-008002-), with fingermarks, as it were, impressed pretty deeply, is frequently taken away by some representative of a family among whom sickness has broken out, and, in all cases, restored after one night to the exact position in which it was found. Both the turas and St. Crone’s healing stone possess numerous clients down to the present day’ (Maguire 1920, 222). Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'There is a Holy Well at Tarmon, in Maghery, south of Dungloe, and a turus is still made there. Some say there are three Holy Wells (DG048-005---/007----) there. There was once a monastery at Maghery, and eleven bishops are buried there according to local tradition. For the method of making the turus' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 152) (Ó Muirgheasa No. 43) The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Dedalus Architecture (2010) Teampaill Chróine, Termon, Dungloe, Co. Donegal. Unpublished Conservation Report. Kelly, E. P. (2002) 'Antiquities from Irish Holy Wells and Their Wider Context', Archaeology Ireland, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 24-28. Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload / revision : 04 November 2011