Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
- Recorded sizediameter 10m x 6m
What to look for
- Cross or cross-slab
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
In a hollow (0.94m below the field) in flat pasture. Spring well consisting of a natural pool (diam. 10m x 6m) with a steep-sided stream running off it.
Full archaeological record 124 words
In a hollow (0.94m below the field) in flat pasture. Spring well consisting of a natural pool (diam. 10m x 6m) with a steep-sided stream running off it. Power (1908, 17) translated 'Tobernacally' as 'The Hag's (or Nun's) Well' and 'according to local belief a cross is sometimes seen to shine in the water'. According to local tradition St. Patrick's cross is supposed to be buried here and the well water is a cure for horse's cough, horses having to be brought to the well before sun rise. There is no evidence of any man-made structures at this location. The water in the well was 0.1m deep at time of visit. There are a lot of small stones on the floor of the pool.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Jean Farrelly · Updated 04 December 2013. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
Power (1908, 17) translated 'Tobernacally' as 'The Hag's (or Nun's) Well' and 'according to local belief a cross is sometimes seen to shine in the water'.
According to local tradition St. Patrick's cross is supposed to be buried here and the well water is a cure for horse's cough, horses having to be brought to the well before sun rise.
More holy wells nearby
St. Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballynamona (Molough Par.) · Tipperary · 4.5 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Caherabbey Upper · Tipperary · 12 km away
St. Patrick's Well, Clonmel
Ritual site - holy well · Patrickswell (Inishlounaght Par.) · Tipperary · 13 km away
Toberaheena
Ritual site - holy well · Toberaheena (Inishlounaght Par.) · Tipperary · 14 km away
Our Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Cappoquin Demesne · Waterford · 14 km away
Lady Well
Ritual site - holy well · Knockgarraun (Sergeant) · Waterford · 18 km away
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Around Tobernacally
Other heritage nearby
- Ardfinnan CastleCastle · 3.9 km
- BallyneetyRingfort · 4.3 km
- Ballindoney CastleCastle · 7.2 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 11 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 8 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 standing stoneArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Tipperary Heritage WayLong Distance Waymarked Way · 61.0 km · nearest point 0.4 km
- Knockmealdowns Trails - Crough LoopWalking Trail · 3.8 km · nearest point 1.4 km
- Knockmealdowns Trails - Duck Pond LoopWalking Trail · 4.9 km · nearest point 1.6 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Caher ParkForests · 9.5 km
- Carey's CastleForests · 12 km
- ClonmelWalled towns · 15 km
- Salterbridge GatelodgeHistoric stays · 14 km
Other attractions nearby
- Swiss CottageHistoric Houses and Castle · 9.4 km
- Cahir Town Walking TourWalking · 11 km
- Cahir CastleHistoric Houses and Castle · 11 km
- St Paul's ChurchHistoric Houses and Castle · 11 km