Toberkeelagh

A 19th-century description of this holy well records it as being located at the foot of a tree, with an adjacent bush ‘on which pieces of cloth, etc., are generally hung as votive offerings; and at a few yards to the south, is a stone seat, which appears to be of ancient date. “Stations” are performed here almost every day, during the course of which it is usual to walk barefoot around the well, tree and bush.’ (‘Proceedings’ in Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquarian of Ireland 1870-71, 11, 349). It was record by Lavelle (1994, 96, no. 648) as follows: 'Situated on E-facing slope, in pasture, 200m from W shore of Lough Mask. Three sided stone-built well, square in shape (L 1.2m N-S; D 0.7m) with entrance to E. Now dried up and interior filled with loose stone.' Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of revised upload: 24 July 2017

This holy well, Toberkeelagh, is associated with Saint Keelagh, a lesser-known early Irish saint, and was traditionally visited for cures related to skin ailments and general healing. Votive cloths hung on the nearby bush reflect a long-standing tradition of offering tokens in gratitude or supplication.