Tober Patrick

Within a graveyard (GA071-023001-). A circular spring well (D 0.85m), dedicated to St Patrick, situated in NE corner of a heavily overgrown drystone-built square well-chamber (L/Wth 2.5m). A step at S leads down to the water. On E wall, a plaque (H 0.7m, Wth 0.5m) dated 1688, depicts St Patrick standing on a snake and holding a double-armed cross. The well-chamber is bounded from S through W to NE by an embanked pathway (Wth c. 2m); else where it is densely overgrown. According to local information, pilgrims walked around the well, using this path, on the pattern day (date unknown). In the 18th C, the pattern day was stopped by the local bishop because a man was killed in the annual faction fight! The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

Dedicated to St Patrick, the well is associated with traditional Christian pilgrimage and healing practices. It is located within a graveyard, suggesting a long-standing connection between the sacred well and local burial customs.