It being St Patrick’s Day it seemed appropriate to hunt down a well dedicated to the national saint. I managed to find one listed in the Archaeological Inventory that was fairly close to me and after attending the Parade in Ballydehob set out. The well was not on the map but I had written down […]
West Cork
Lady’s Well, Tobairín Muire, Kealkil
South of the old graveyard of Kilmocomoge (signed from the road as Lady’s Well) is the still much revered and beautifully kept Tobairín Mhuire – the Little Well of Mary. The site is enclosed in blue and white railings and there are some jaunty blue seats looking up towards the statue of the BVM who […]
Well of the Cold Spring, Tobernanore, Sheep’s Head
Clearly signed from the road (look out for the Ancient monument symbol on the gate) this well lies in a magnificent position with views out over rich pasture towards Dunmanus Bay. The site feels remote and open, yet the well is hidden and tucked into the landscape. The first time I came here, it was […]
Blessed Well, Tobar Beannaithe, Sheep’s Head
This well is in such a wild and remote spot. Walking down from the Goat’s Path through boggy pasture, a ridged path is discernible, flagged by large stones. This takes you down through fields towards a green plateau. The landscape first has to be admired for it is breath-taking. The plateau is in fact part […]
Four very different wells around Timoleague
Today we headed out east on the trail of wells in the Timoleague area. Our first stop was a beautifully kept and still revered Lady’s Well, Tobar Mhuire, just outside the town. Lady’s Well,Tobar Mhuire, Timoleague This little well can be found right next to the GAA pitch on the road into Timoleague. It is […]
Toberknockaphuca & Tobarnadunaree, Sheep’s Head
Well of the Pooka’s Hill, Tobar Cnoc a’Phuca, Toberknockaphuca A chance encounter with the landowner and we were taken down to discover the elusive Toberknockaphuca (Well of the hill of the pooka/spirit). He could only remember one other person ever having wanted to see the well, a Frenchwoman in search of a cure, and warned […]