What is recorded here

Tobersaran is a disused holy well in County Offaly, linked to Sárán and the seventh-century monastery of Tisaran. The circular stone rim still stands on flat land near the Brosna, but the water has vanished and the feastday has faded from local memory. What remains is a quiet hole in the ground, waiting for someone to remember why it was dug.

Situated on flat low-lying land with river Brosna 160m to the S and Tisaran Church (OF022-004---) 690m to SW. Holy well associated with Sárán who founded a monastery known as Teach Sáráin [Tisaran/House of Saran] in the seventh century (Ó Riain 2011, 547-8; ITA Survey 1942). In 1942 it was recorded that the feastday of St Saran was not remembered locally, although there was a pattern held at Tisaran until the early years of the last century (ibid.). The feastday of Sárán fell on the 20th of January (Ó Riain 2011, 547-8). Present remains consist of an uncovered circular dry stone well (diam 1m; D 1m) now disused and dried up with no evidence of any votive offerings associated with the well. (O' Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 58) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 28 February 2019

Tobersaran is a holy well associated with Saint Sárán, who founded the monastery of Teach Sáráin (Tisaran), meaning "House of Saran." The site is linked to early Christian tradition in the region, with the well likely used for ritual washing and healing practices.

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