Tobercolman

At the head of the valley with excellent views to the W and over Oughtmama ecclesiastical complex (CL003-032----). Indicated and named ‘Tobercolman’ on the 1842 and 1915 eds of the OS 6-inch maps and named ‘Tobar Cholmáin’ on Robinson’s map (1977). It is ascribed to St Colman Mac Duagh (Swinfen 1992, 103). Colman Mac Duagh was educated at St Enda’s on Inismore and seeking solitude is reputed to have moved to the Burren in 590 (Ó Riain 2011). He is believed to have spent time living in a cave (CL006-023004-) to the SE, on the far side of Slievecarran where a church (CL006-023001-) and another well (CL006-023005-) dedicated to him are to be found, before the legendary King Guaire granted him land in Kilmacduagh Td., Co. Galway (GA128-034----) (Jones 2006. 93). A natural spring well enclosed by a small D-shaped drystone enclosure (L 3.8m E–W; Wth 2.5m; wall Wth 0.7m; wall H 1m) with straight side along the N and a small (Wth 0.35m) entrance gap leading to 3 steps. Numerous small statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary adorn the well. To the NNE (2m dist.) an ash tree and whitethorn bush are enclosed by a tumbled drystone wall. 1.5m to the S a small drystone rectangular cairn (L 1.8m E–W; Wth 1.3m; H 1.1m) has a small double-lintelled ope in its E face, which contains numerous coins and buttons. A stream emerging c. 10m to the S of this well is ‘named’ Sruhaunananeeve on the 1842 and 1915 eds. of the OS map and Sruthán na Naomh’ on Robinson’s map (1977). Some 400m SW it drove a horizontal mill (CL003-032008-) on the edge of Oughtmama ecclesiastical enclosure (CL003-032001-). Oughtmama is also believed to have been associated with a Colman, but to which Colman is uncertain (Swan 1991, 106–7). Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 15 December 2020

Linked to Saint Colman, Tobercolman is associated with healing traditions and pilgrimage, common among early Christian sites in Ireland. The well's name and location suggest it was part of a broader monastic or ecclesiastical landscape connected to the nearby Oughtmama complex.