What is recorded here

Toberatemple is a triangular sandstone boulder holding a circular hollow where sore eyes were bathed for cure. Each dip required a rush cross thrown into the water and a rag left on a nearby bush, turning private pain into a visible chain of devotion. The stone still stands beside the road, preserving that repeated pact between human flesh and church water.

On S side of road to E of graveyard (CO103-003001-). Large triangular sandstone boulder (1.85m x 2.m). Circular hollow (diam. 0.4m; D 0.23m) on upper surface. Known as Toberatemple (well of the church) (O'Donoghue 1986, 304). According to Brady (1863, 2, 493) "in the hollow of this stone...the country people bathe their eyes, when sore, in expectation of a cure...at each round they throw into the hollow a bit of rush formed into a cross. They afterwards suspend a piece of rag on a bush over the stone, in memorial of their devotions." The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009 Image provided by and copyright of Amanda Clarke 2016-2022 https://holywellscorkandkerry.com/

Likely dating to the early Christian period, the stone's name and the circular hollow may indicate a ritual or commemorative function, possibly associated with a holy well or ecclesiastical site. Such features often held spiritual significance and were linked to local saints or pilgrimage traditions.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.