What is recorded here

Tobergaddy was a holy well in County Laois, marked on maps from 1841 to 1907, but no visible surface remains. It may have given clean water, tested faith or marked a boundary between households and fields. The loss of its shape does not erase the reason it was remembered.

Marked on the 1841 and 1907 editions of the OS 6-inch maps. Reference to a holy well here (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 192). No visible surface remains. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Linked to a holy well tradition, Tobergaddy is associated with early Christian pilgrimage practices in the region. Though no surface remains are visible, historical references suggest it may have been connected to a local veneration of Saint Mary or a similar female saint, common in many Irish holy well sites.

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