Toberflyn — Cloonnafinneela

This is marked on the 1841-42 and 1897-98 OS maps as 'Toberflyn'. Situation and Description: From what was formerly a strong spring issuing from a heap of stones, there is now a spout with a good flow of clear water. The well has been embellished with an 'alcove' and a statue of Our Lady was erected by Muintir na Tíre in 1953. Rounds/Offerings: This well is still visited, especially on May eve which is the day of devotion. Legends: The water is said to cure sore eyes. Ó Danachair (1958, 158) recorded the following details about this well; 'This was formerly a strong spring issuing from a heap of stones. The water now gushes from a spout embellished with an "alcove" and a statue of Our Lady; this work was erected by the local branch of Muinntir na Tire in 1953. The well is still visited and May Eve is a day of devotion. Formerly rags were left as offerings. The water cures sore eyes. Some stones close to the well are said to be the ruins of Saint Flann's hermitage. Legend: Saint Flann became blind in his old age, and, although not asking for a cure for himself, gave to the well the power of curing blindness'. Folklore collected from Kilflyn School recorded the following tradition about this well; ‘Tobar Flainn is situated in Shanavalla. It is on the side of a hillock beside the River Rae which joins the river Shannow. Near this well is to be seen the ruins of the hermitage of Saint Floinn. It is believed that Saint Floinn came from county Clare. Anybody does not know where this saint was born or his burial place. Saint Floinn was blind in his old age,but he did not wish to get cured but he left the cure in the well for future generations. The well is surrounded by a wall and over it grows a large yew tree which is laden with offerings and decorated with beautiful flowers. Rounds are paid to this well on May Eve. When saying the Rosary a person should begin at the well and proceed to the right up a little hill and round the well and then finish it at the well. The water in the well is lovely and clean and is very good drinking water, but the people of the parish never drink it only when they go for a visit to the well' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0412, Pages 221-2; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4666598/4665549). Holy well described by O'Hare (2000, 64) as; 'In 1953 Muintir na Tíre erected an alcove and statue of Our Lady at the site. The land slopes to the south-west. The water flows from an open spout into a concrete basin at the base of the statue. A local man recalled that the well was, until recent years, the scene of a yearly procession on the 31st of May. Ó Danachair however, records May Eve as the day of devotions (op. cit., 158). He also notes that water from the well was believed to have cured sore eyes and that rags were left as offerings in the past. Some stones near the well were said to be the ruins of St Flann's hermitage. The saint became blind in his old age and although not seeking a cure for himself, gave the well the power of curing blindness. The well appeared to have fallen into disuse by the time it was visited by the author'. See attached photographs of holy well courtesy of Amanda Clarke. The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 915. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O’Brien Date of revised upload: 18 May 2022