Tobermolag — Na Gleannta Theas

Tobermolag/Tobar Mhealaicí [Malachy]: A spring issuing from under a large boulder. A channel in the upper surface of a concrete slab receives the water and concentrates its flow before it spills into a small, stone-lined pool. A stone which stood above the well bore a plain inscribed cross (Curran no. 64) and there was also reputedly a stone at the well which bore indecipherable writing (Ó Danachair 1960, 73). Described by Ó Danachair (1960, 73) as; ‘"Tobermolag" on 1842 map; "Tobar Meailici" - local. An Seabhac suggests "Tobar Malac ". A strong spring, now invisible under a thicket of fuchsia. Rounds were made formerly but not within the present century. The well cured pains and aches. Legend : A white trout with red spots and a white eel live in the well; these were seen by persons about to be cured. A stone at the well has upon it writing which no one can read'. Folklore collected from Glin South School recorded the following tradition; 'The name of St. Malachy's Well. It is in the land of Mícheál Mac Síthigh, in a field called Clochán na Ceárdthain. This field is up to three miles northwest of Daingean Uí Chúise, in Dingle Peninsula. A relatively large tree grows at the head of the well. and there is a slab standing next to it and there is writing on it. No one can figure out what is written on. People used to take a turasthere a long time ago but no one took the turas there today. It's probably been twenty years since anyone took the turas there. The turas was done for a headache. There was a small white trout with red spots on it. There were eels in the well and and they were white. They were about six inches long. They would never get out of the well. When the person was doing the turas if they had a chance to see the trout and the eel together. The trout and the eel have now disappeared and no one knows how they escaped. People came from all over taking the turas. The well never dried up and no one could empty it. The water is cold in the summer and very nice to drink' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0421, Page 445-7; https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4678393/4676039). The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 938. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013