Tober Barry (Site of)

In pasture, in the NE corner of a field at the base of a W-facing slope. The well has been infilled and its location is marked only by an area of uneven ground covered by a clump of irises. This corner of the field is neglected and covered by long grass. No enclosing structure could be discerned. On a previous site inspection in 1994 the well was described as enclosed by rectangular stone setting (1.2m N-S; 0.8m E-W) (SMR (1989) file). According to local information, the well was probably covered over during field-clearance activity in recent years. A few people in the locality know of this holy well though in 1942-4 it was recorded that no pilgrimages had been made to it in the memory of the oldest resident (ITA). In 1836 it was recorded as 'Tobar Bearaigh (Barry) surrounded by a turret of stone work (as the inhabitants call it) which is now greatly injured' (OSL, 147). It was also recorded that the well was closed and that only a little water was then running from it (ibid.). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008

Linked to Saint Barry, Tober Barry is traditionally associated with cures for skin ailments and general well-being. The site's significance is reflected in its name, with "Tober" denoting a holy well in Irish tradition, and the surrounding folklore often connecting such wells to healing and saintly intercession.