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At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
- Recorded sizeH 2.27m; wall T 0.5m
What to look for
- Offerings left
- 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 wooded area, beside a N-S flowing stream, on the S side of a steep wooded hill.This holy well is called 'Tobernalt'. It is enclosed within a circular setting (diam. 2.15) defined by a stone wall (H 2.27m; wall T 0.5m), which has an entrance to the SE (Wth 0.63m).
Full archaeological record 210 words
In a wooded area, beside a N-S flowing stream, on the S side of a steep wooded hill.This holy well is called 'Tobernalt'. It is enclosed within a circular setting (diam. 2.15) defined by a stone wall (H 2.27m; wall T 0.5m), which has an entrance to the SE (Wth 0.63m). The surrounding area has been landscaped. There is what is known locally as a 'Mass Rock' or altar (SL014-238002-) 5.5m to the SE of the well. Among plaques of modern date, affixed to the internal walls of the holy well, is a sandstone cross (H 0.43m; W 0.19m; T 0.06m), with a circular head. The site also contains statues and stations of the cross of modern date. A holly tree hung with votive offerings and rags stands on high ground to the NW of the holy well. Locally it is said that the mass rock was used to say mass in penal times and there has been a revival in recent years, with an annual mass being said by the Bishop of Elphin at 6am on Garland Sunday (last Sunday in July). Though no cures were recorded, it is locally believed that the waters of the stream cure blindness. The holy well is very well attended at all times.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Patrick F. O'Donovan · Updated 21 April 2011. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
A holly tree hung with votive offerings and rags stands on high ground to the NW of the holy well.
Though no cures were recorded, it is locally believed that the waters of the stream cure blindness.
More holy wells nearby
St Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Scardan Beg · Sligo · 7.5 km away
Toberbride
Ritual site - holy well · Toberbride · Sligo · 8.0 km away
Tobermurro
Ritual site - holy well · Cooney · Sligo · 8.3 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballynakill · Sligo · 12 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ballygilgan · Sligo · 14 km away
St Brigid's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Dromard · Sligo · 14 km away
Also recorded nearby
Named sites within 5 km with only a short entry in the Archaeological Survey.
- CarrowmoreMegalithic tomb - passage tomb · Carrowmore (Carbury By.) · 4.6 km · official record
See linked document This is a National Monument in State care (No. 153).
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Around Tobernalt Well
Other heritage nearby
- Carns CairnMegalithic tomb · 1.2 km
- Sligo Abbey, SligoAbbey or friary · 3.4 km
- Church Island ChurchAncient church · 4.0 km
- CarrowmoreRingfort · 4.6 km
- Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery W-M 9aMegalithic tomb · 4.7 km
- ListoghilMegalithic tomb · 4.7 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 81 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 70 megalithic tombsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 6 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 promontory fortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 4 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 standing stonesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 3 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 stone circleArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 abbey or friaryArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- The North West Trail CyclingRoad Cycling Trail · 213.1 km · nearest point 0.5 km
- Hazelwood - Lady Ann's TrailWalking Trail · 6.1 km · nearest point 0.9 km
- HazelwoodWalking Trail · 3.2 km · nearest point 0.9 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Dooney RockForests · 1.3 km
- CarnsForests · 1.4 km
- Rosses Point BeachBeaches · 11 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- Dunmoran BeachBeaches · 18 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- Ballygilgan, Lissadell Nature ReserveNature reserves · 13 km
- SligoWalled towns · 3.5 km
- Schoolhouse at AnnaghmoreHistoric stays · 12 km
- Temple HouseHistoric stays · 17 km
Other attractions nearby
- Dooney Rock ForestNature and Wildlife · 1.3 km
- Hazelwood ForestNature and Wildlife · 2.0 km
- Doorly ParkNature and Wildlife · 2.6 km
- Northwest Adventure ToursWalking · 3.2 km
What's on nearby
- Broadway and Beyond2026-11-11 · 3.4 km
- Broadway and Beyond2026-11-12 · 3.4 km
- Broadway and Beyond2026-11-13 · 3.4 km
Excavations nearby
- 03E0535 Area 1A Tonafortes, County SligoRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 2.2 km
- 03E1414 Area 1G Tonafortes, County SligoRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 2.2 km


