Tobernacreeva

Located in a flat expanse of rough, lowlying pasture, bordering the shoreline of Lackan Bay. Ground rises gradually to S and SE. Named ‘Tobernacreeva’ on the 1838 and 1922 OS 6-inch maps, this spring fed pool (1.45m NE-SW; 1.38m NW-SE; D 0.3m) is confined within a stone-built well-house of recent date, which stands within a small concrete-walled enclosure. According to a tradition recorded in the OS Letters (1838), this holy well was associated with St Patrick, and it was here that he baptised King Amhalgaidh, with his sons and 900 followers. (O’Flanagan 1927, 196 (102)). There is a standing stone (MA015-001----) 290m to W, a rath (MA015-003001-) with a children’s burial ground (MA015-003002-) 200m to SE, and a cairn (MA015-068001-) and a Man-made underground passage (MA015-068002-) 190m to SW. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 13 November 2018

Tobernacreeva is associated with Saint Cronan, a 6th-century Irish monk and founder of several monastic sites in County Clare. The well was historically visited for its supposed curative properties, particularly for skin ailments and eye complaints, and was traditionally visited on the saint’s feast day, May 10th.