What is recorded here

Tobercolman is a holy well in County Limerick dedicated to Saint Colman, whose waters people believed could cure sickness. The concrete-and-stone chamber sits on a pasture slope, marking a spring that tradition claims the saint moved away from a graveyard after an old woman washed clothes in it. Visitors still come to the eastern opening, where a cut cross and dated stone preserve the memory of that sudden divine relocation.

In pasture, on break in NNE-facing slope. Within rectangular area (6.5m N-S; 9m E-W), enclosed by concrete wall, is box-like structure (1.7m N-S; 1.7m E-W; H 3.2m) of cut and dressed limestone covering spring well (diam. 0.4m). Opening to E where low stone wall encloses square area (2.2m N-S; 2.2m E-W) with access down to well (D 0.4m) via step. On top of structure are four triangular projections, resting on a plinth, which face towards the cardinal points. A stone-cut cross surmounts E-facing projection, with date-stone inscribed "St. Coleman's Well, enclosed the 15th of August 1868". According to Ó Danachair (1955, 214) a pattern was held here on 29th of October; this was observed in 1840s (OSL vol. 1, 25) but had ceased by mid 1950s. The following folklore was recorded from Kilcolman National School about Tobercolman;'Saint Comlan is the patron Saint of Kilcolman, and on his feast day, a large concourse of people went their way to the well dedicated to him, and cures have been affected through using its waters. The old people of the locality tell many curious tales in connection with it. Those living in the vicinity, and for miles around never made use of the water for boiling or for any other household purpose. They say that in olden times the well was situated in the graveyard close to where the old Church now stands, but on one occasion, when an old woman washed clothes in it, Saint Colman removed the well, about a quarter of a mile away from the sacred grounds'The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0484, Page 016; accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4921947/4912412). See attached photos taken in 1954 by Caoimhín Ó Danachair, courtesy of and © National Folklore Collection, UCD. The Photographic Collection, F025.21.00313 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/31076 and F025.21.00312 accessible online at www.duchas.ie/en/cbeg/17037. See attached colour photographs courtesy of Amanda Clarke Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 30 September 2020

Linked to Saint Colman, Tobercolman is traditionally associated with cures for skin ailments and general well-being. The site reflects a common early Christian practice of enclosing holy wells to protect their sacred waters.

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