Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
What to look for
- Bullaun stone
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Can you visit?
- No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
- Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
History and description
Located to c. 40m NE of Kilcar church (DG096-010005-) and graveyard (DG096-010007-), and named ‘Tobermurry’ on the OS 6-inch map, this monument functioned as a holy well, although there is no well or spring per se. It consists of a bullaun (DG096-010003-) or rock-basin surrounded by a cairn (DG096-010004-) 6m x 8.8m.
Full archaeological record 181 words
Located to c. 40m NE of Kilcar church (DG096-010005-) and graveyard (DG096-010007-), and named ‘Tobermurry’ on the OS 6-inch map, this monument functioned as a holy well, although there is no well or spring per se. It consists of a bullaun (DG096-010003-) or rock-basin surrounded by a cairn (DG096-010004-) 6m x 8.8m. Two depressions, (i) .34m x .4m and 0.23m deep and (ii). 2m in diameter and 0.05m deep, and a channel which feeds water to the first depression are carved on the top of the bullaun stone. (Ó Muirgheasa No. 22).
Described by Ó Muirgheasa in 1936 as 'Kilcar there are three Holy Wells: (1) Tobar Charthach, or St. Carthach's Well (DG096-013001-) (2) Tobar Chonaill (DG096-010001-), or St. Conall Caol's Well (3) Tobar Mhuire, or the Blessed Virgin's Well (DG096-010008-)...Crowds of pilgrims still make the station or turus. It begins in the old ruined church of St. Carthach, after which the pilgrim makes three circuits of each of the three wells, and then finishes up at "the altar" in the old church.' (Ó Muirgheasa 1936, 147-8). (Ó Muirgheasa No. 22)
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Caimin O'Brien · Updated 03 November 2011. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
More holy wells nearby
Tobernamanna
Ritual site - holy well · Rann Na Cille · Donegal · 2.6 km away
St Catherine's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Glebe (Killybegs Ed) · Donegal · 10.0 km away
St. Faned's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Cill Fhathnaid · Donegal · 12 km away
Bunduff Well
Ritual site - holy well · Bunduff · Leitrim · 24 km away
St Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballinphull (Carbury By., Cliffony North Ed) · Sligo · 24 km away
Priest Boyle's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ionascail · Donegal · 26 km away
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Around Tobermurry
Other heritage nearby
- Old St. Carthach's Church in KilcarAncient church · 0.0 km
- Hugh MacBrick's ChurchAncient church · 6.3 km
- portal tomb of Straleel NorthMegalithic tomb · 6.9 km
- Killybegs FriaryAncient church · 9.9 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 9 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 9 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 promontory fortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 stone circleArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 castleArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Slí Cholmcille - Sli Dhun na nGallLong Distance Waymarked Way · 65.3 km · nearest point 0.5 km
- Mill River WalkWalking Trail · 0.4 km · nearest point 1.6 km
- Sliabh Liag Pilgrim PathPilgrim Path · 3.2 km · nearest point 4.1 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- FintraBeaches · 7.1 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- St Johns Point LighthouseHistoric stays · 11 km
Other attractions nearby
- Turas CarthaWalking · 1.0 km
- Leitir Corn Mill (Muileann Coirce Leitir)Museums and Attraction · 1.6 km
- Cionn Mhucrois (Muckros Head)Natural Landscape · 2.1 km
- Teresa's Tours of Slieve LeagueWalking · 3.1 km

