What is recorded here

Toberlonan is a holy well in County Clare, Ireland, where people still sought cures for eye and limb diseases during the nineteenth century. The rectangular stone wall now hides beneath concrete blocks and planks, while a rowan tree forces through one side like a green fingerprint. If the water still moves beneath the blocks, it remembers every drowned candle and every desperate prayer thrown into its dark mouth.

In a small hollow in marshy pasture and to the S of the Ennistimon to Corrofin road. Named ‘Toberlonan’ on the 1840 and 1916 eds. of the OS 6-inch maps. Recorded by O’Donovan (1839) as ‘Tobar Lonain or Saint Lonan’s Well, at which Stations are still performed and the cure of diseases of the eyes and limbs sought, but on no particular day’ (Comber 1997, 100). The well is defined by a rectangular stone wall (1.5m x 1.5m; H 0.9m) that has been covered over with concrete blocks and planks. A rowan tree is growing from one side of it. According to local information, it was in use up to the end of the 1960s and its water was used as a cure for sore eyes. The well may be associated with the medieval church (CL016-105001-), graveyard (CL016-105002-) and possible ecclesiastical enclosure (CL016-105004-) located c. 180m to its ENE. The following image had been uploaded: CL016-105003-_01jpg. Blocked-up holy well Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Lynda McCormack Date of upload: 24 June 2022

Linked to Saint Lonan, Toberlonan Well is traditionally associated with cures for skin ailments and general healing. Saint Lonan, a 7th-century Pictish saint, is believed to have founded a monastery in Kintore, Scotland, before his death and martyrdom; his wells and shrines are found throughout Ireland and Scotland, often connected to miraculous cures and pilgrimage traditions.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.