Tober Patrick

Situated on level ground in gently undulating pasture. This holy well is not shown on the 1838 OS 6-inch map, but is shown on the 1912 edition, where it is named ‘St Patrick’s Well’. The well consists of a subrectangular pit (2m NW−SE; 0.85m NE-SW) dug to a depth of 1.4m below surface ground level. The vertical sides of the pit are faced with drystone walling. A low wall (Wth 0.45m; H 0.2-0.3m) of mortared limestone blocks rises proud of the well pit on the NE, SE and SW sides; this wall is now partly collapsed on the S and W sides. There is a lintelled rectangular niche (Wth 0.3m; H 0.35m; D 0.35m) in the internal face on the NE side. The well is open on the NW side; there may have been steps here to aid access to the water, but wall collapse/loose rubble now makes this unclear. Rubble also fills the base of the well, where water is still evident. Traditional devotions which were practiced at the well are recorded in the National Folklore Schools Collection (1937-39): volume 0155, p. 001 (https://www.duchas.ie/): "It is said that this well was blessed by St. Patrick when he was passing from Connacht into Ulster. Around the well is a stone wall. In this wall are round holes - fourteen in number; these are called the Stations. Every year on St. Patrick's Day people from the adjoining townlands visit Tobar Phádruig. They make the Stations of the Cross round the well: each hole being used as a station. At the entrance to the well they recite the Rosary or some other prayers. Those who visit the well usually bring with them some flowers, or holy pictures or medals or old crosses: these they leave at the well…It is said that when St. Patrick was blessing this well, he left the mark of his thumb on a stone which is pointed out to the present day. This stone which is round with a flat top and bearing a mark resembling the imprint of a human thumb is placed in the wall at the entrance to the well. People visit the well at other times of the year as well as on St. Patrick's Day for cures for animals…". There is a rath (SL005-040----) and children’s burial ground (SL005-040001-) 35m to S. Attached images: SL005-039----_01.JPG Holy well viewed from NW, with rath (SL005-040001-) in the background SL005-039----_02.JPG Holy well viewed from NW Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 7 October 2020

Linked to St. Patrick, the well is traditionally associated with healing and protection, with pilgrims historically visiting to seek cures for various ailments. The absence from the 1838 map suggests it may have gained prominence as a holy site in the 19th century, possibly due to revived local devotion or formal recognition of an older tradition.