Tobereleesh

Marked on the 1840-41 and 1914 OS maps as 'Tobereleesh' (Tobar Eilís - well of Eilís), this well is known locally as Knoppoge well, St Brigid's well and Tobar an Leighis (well of the healing). Situation and Description: This well is situated beside an enclosure (1044). The rounds path includes both well and fort. Just across from the well a modern shrine has been erected. Rounds: This well is still visited and rounds usually consist of three cycles, during each of which the rosary is recited. Water cures mental problems and bodily ailments. Legends: (a) St Brigid visited this well on her way through Kerry, (b) A golden fish is seen by the people about to be cured. Folklore collected from Ballyduff School recorded the following tradition about this well; ‘There is a well about a half a mile from my house and is called "Tobar a leighis". It is situated a few hundred yards from the public road. This well is called after St. Brigid. A lot of people go there paying rounds, and some people are cured. People pay rounds at the well on Friday evening and more on Saturday. People go on Friday for the health and Saturday for the head. It is said that persons who are cured see a gold fish in the well. The people that pay rounds leave a medal or picture or a bead near it. This well is opened to the public. There is a mound of earth near the well and it is circular in shape. Round this the people walk when they are paying the round. They say three rosaries for every round' (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0415, Page 261;https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4666610/4666528/4682787?ChapterID=4666610). See attached colour photographs courtesy of Amanda Clarke. The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 896. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O’Brien Date of revised upload: 19 May 2022

Linked to St Brigid and known as Tobar an Leighis, the well is associated with healing traditions and was likely a site of pilgrimage. Local names such as Knoppoge well suggest a long-standing folk tradition, possibly incorporating pre-Christian elements into Christian devotion.