What is recorded here

Tobergahard is a holy well in County Clare where a small spring emerges from limestone beneath dense hazel scrub. Local tradition holds that its water cured eye complaints, while a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary still marks the rough stone wall. The place has resisted forgetting, remaining named on maps from 1842 and still touched by devotion.

Near the base of a steep NW-facing rock face under dense hazel scrub, just off the R480. Indicated and named 'Tobergahard' on both the first edition (1842) and later, Cassini edition (1916) of the OS 6-inch map. A small, natural spring emerging from the limestone pavement is surrounded by a rough stone wall. The well is still venerated and devotional objects, including a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, were recorded during a recent research visit by The Clare Holy Wells Project (Kirby 2021). According to local tradition (National Folklore Collection, Schools, UCD, vol. 0616, p 24) the water was used as a cure for eye complaints. References: Kirby, T. 2021 Tobergahard Holy Well, Gragan East. The Clare Holy Wells Project. Accessed 16 January 2023; Available @ https://heritage.clareheritage.org/places/holy-wells/tobargahard-holy-well-gragan-east. The National Folklore collection, UCD: The Schools Collection (A collection of folklore compiled by schoolchildren in Ireland in the 1930s.) Accessed 16 January 2023; Available @ https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4922365/4874568 Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Ros Ó Maoldúin Date of upload: 16 January 2023

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