What is recorded here

Tobermochulla was a living holy well in County Clare where people still formed stations in 1839, but human hands later blocked and buried the water. The field keeps only a shallow oval scar, perhaps the well or perhaps a separate draw hole, while memory moves the exact line between the two. What was clear enough to map and pray at has become a hidden chamber under ordinary pasture.

In rough and level, poorly drained pasture, to SE of a small stream, which flows under a tertiary road adjacent to N. According to Curry in 1839 (OSL, vol. 2, 282), ‘There is another holy well called Tobar-Mochuille in the townland of Knockdromleagh, at which stations continue still to be formed’. Depicted and named as ‘Tobermochulla’ on the 1840 edition of the OS 6-inch map and no longer shown or named on the 1921 edition. The monument has been blocked up and backfilled. A slight oval depression (c. 4.5m N-S; c. 3.7m E-W; D 0.15m) on the surface of the field may mark the site of the holy well, as depicted and named on the 25-inch OS map. According to local information, a well in this vicinity was used to draw water until it was blocked up. It is feasible that the draw well and the holy well were two different water sources, as depicted and named on the 25-inch map. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Alison McQueen Date of upload: 8 November 2017

Tobermochulla is associated with Saint Mochulla, a 7th-century Irish saint known for his monastic foundations and spiritual influence in Munster. The well was traditionally visited for its healing properties, particularly for ailments of the eyes and skin, and was likely a site of seasonal pilgrimage and local Christian devotion.

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