Toberlonane

On a S-facing slope in marshy pasture c.40m E of a small S-flowing stream that forms part of the boundary of an ecclesiastical enclosure (CL015-059001-). Indicated and labelled ‘Toberlonane’ on both the first (1840) and Cassini (1916) editions of the OS 6-inch map. O’Donovan (Comber 1997, 94) noted the well, commenting that ‘stations continue still to be performed’, and his informants recalled the former presence of a pattern at the site but could not recall its day.  The holy well lies within a C-shaped drystone walled enclosure (diam. c. 10m) flanked to the N by a boreen. The well is formed by a deep pool (D c. 1m) within a simple wellhouse formed by a U-plan drystone wall open to the SE and capped with two large flagstones (L 1m; W 0.6m and L 0.6m; W 0.8m). A carved stone head (CL015-059004-) was found ‘beside’ the holy well (Swan 1987, 159).    Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy and Eve Campbell   Date of upload: 8-10-2025

Toberlonane is associated with Saint Lonan, a 6th-century Irish saint known for his ascetic practices and connections to the west coast of Scotland and Ireland. The well was traditionally visited for healing and protection, with pilgrims often leaving coins or small offerings at the site.