Toberfeheen

On seashore on SW side of Omey Island. Known locally as Tobar Feichín, it consists of an irregular hole in the rock situated centrally within a small, low, pear-shaped drystone wall (2.7m by 2.5m), with an entrance at SW. There is an alcove in the inner face of the wall at N containing some white pebbles and modern offerings. No trace survives of the 'altar formed by a projection in the masonry' noted by Macalister (1896b, 253) on the outer face of the wall and which was 'covered in large spherical pebbles'. Noted by O'Flaherty in 1684 when it was frequented on 20th January and 'of late proves very miraculous for restoring of health' (Hardiman 1846, 113). (O'Flanagan 1927a, Vol. 3, 75, 79; Killanin 1954, 95) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

Linked to Saint Feichín, a 7th-century Irish monk associated with the founding of monastic sites in Connacht, the well is traditionally visited for healing and protection, with pilgrims often leaving small offerings at the site. The drystone wall surrounding the well suggests a long-standing devotional practice, possibly combining early Christian and pre-Christian elements.