What is recorded here

Tobermoon is a holy well in County Clare where people still performed stations in 1839 and kept an annual pattern day until at least the 1940s. Its crude drystone chamber, cursed stones and holy tree suggest a place where prayer, complaint and memory were all handled together. The well did not ask to be believed from a distance; it asked to be entered, witnessed and used.

In flat pastureland. Named 'Tobermoon' on the 1842 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Recorded by Robinson (1977) as 'Tobar Mhuadháin' on his map of the Burren. In 1839 the OS Letters (Comber 1997, 70) recorded that stations were still performed here. According to Westropp (1900-1902, 132; 1915, 60; Comber 2003) there was also a ‘holy tree’ and several ‘cursing stones’ (see CL008-049009-). In 1998 local residents attested that this holy well was in use up until at least the 1940, when it had been the focus of an annual pattern day. The holy well includes two structures. This record is for a crude suboval drystone structure (4m E-W; 3.5m N-S; H 1.6m) with a narrow opening at the S side which may be an entrance. In the overgrown interior of the structure are architectural fragments (CL008-049006-) and rubble. A rectangular building (CL008-049005-) abuts the NW side of this structure. Kilmoon church (CL008-049001-) lies c. 157m to the ENE, within a graveyard (CL008-049002-). Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 14 December 2022

Tobermoon is associated with Saint Muadhán, a 7th-century Irish monk and hermit known for his ascetic practices and healing miracles. The well is traditionally visited for curing ailments of the eyes and skin, and it is believed that water from the well retains its potency even when carried away.

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