Tobercanavore

Ó Danachair (1955, 209) recorded the following details about this holy well; 'Tobar Cinn Mhóir on 1928 edition OSNB. "Tobercanoroe, reputedly a holy well" WCL, 470. See Keating's History of Ireland, Irish Texts Society, viii, 318'. This well was also called 'Tobar Canvore' and was described by Dowd (1896, 36-7) as following; 'The well remains still under the ancient name of Tobar Ceann Moir, that is Well of the Great Head or Spring, and a river that issues from it is called Sruth Ceann Moir or the stream of Great Head. Dr. Joyce gives a version of the latter portion of the story which accounts for the name of the well in another manner. According to his reading, the great Druid called for his disciple, Canvore, and ordered him to bring his magic spear, which be cast high up in the air, directing his disciple to watch the spot where it fell and to dig there. Canvore did so and a copious stream of water gushed from the ground. Canvore on asking for his reward was told that his name would ever be connected with the spot'. He described this well as ‘it lies on the roadside, in the townland of Glenbrohane, near the boundary of Emly Grennan, three miles to the south of Knocklong, and it springs from a chasm, evidently artificial, dug in the side of Slieve Reagh (where the Munster army was posted) forming a very fine stream. The stream flows into the Morning Star after a short northerly course’. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 03 July 2019

Tobercanavore is associated with Saint Cinnmór, a lesser-known early Irish saint, and is traditionally believed to have healing properties. The well's reputation is linked to local folklore and early historical references, including Keating's 17th-century History of Ireland.