What is recorded here

Tobernahaulue Holy Well is a spring enclosed by a crumbling drystone wall on the NW-facing slope of Knocklawrence Hill, where tree roots now threaten its foundations. Local tradition holds that two natural pools at the wall’s base were called the eyes and that people bathed sore eyes in their water. A children’s burial ground lies immediately to the SW, shadowing the well with a stark reminder that healing and loss often share the same ground. The entrance faces south, narrow enough to force a person to pause before drinking.

On the NW-facing slope of Knocklawrence Hill, near the E bank of a stream. This spring well is enclosed by a poorly built subcircular drystone wall (1.75m E-W; 1.5m N-S; H 0.5-0.9m int., 0.45-1.3m ext.; Wth 0.3-0.65m) interspersed with a number of trees. The entrance (Wth 0.41m) is at S. On inspection some collapsed stones were noted around the entrance area, though one may have been an original threshold stone. The well was overgrown and the tree roots formed a natural threat to the foundations of the enclosing wall. According to local tradition, two natural pools at the external base of the wall at NW were known as ‘the eyes’ and people with eye ailments bathed their eyes with the water as the well is said to cure sore eyes. A children’s burial ground (GA133A002002-) lies immediately to the SW. (O’Flanagan 1927, Vol. 2, 502) Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of Upload: 12 April 2023

Linked to Saint Maul (or Molua), an early Irish saint associated with the 6th century and the founding of monastic sites in the region. The well's name, Tobernahaulue (meaning "well of Maul"), reflects a tradition of healing and pilgrimage, common to many holy wells dedicated to early saints in Ireland.

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