Tobernapeastia
Photo: A.-K. D. · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ritual site - holy well

Tobernapeastia

Tobar na péiste

Former holy well in Tobernapeastia, Co. Kilkenny.

  • AccessNot confirmed
  • National MonumentNot recorded
  • DateNot stated
  • Folklore1 quote
  • PhotoWikimedia Commons
Tobernapeastia, Co. Kilkenny52.73601, -7.42048
Directions Map

Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer

At a glance

  • TypeRitual site - holy well

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
Advertisement

History and description

In a broad flat river valley, c. 60m N of the Nuenna River and c, 16m S of the road. According to the OS Letters (1839), the well, 'in the Townland of Tobar na Peisté to which it gave its name signifying the Well of the Worm in which it is said people were accustomed to wash their hands to cure the worm.

Full archaeological record 150 words

In a broad flat river valley, c. 60m N of the Nuenna River and c, 16m S of the road. According to the OS Letters (1839), the well, 'in the Townland of Tobar na Peisté to which it gave its name signifying the Well of the Worm in which it is said people were accustomed to wash their hands to cure the worm. Chúm siúbhal Péiste do Leigheis' (O'Flanagan ed. 1930, vol. 1, 188 (62-3)). According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 256), 'It is reputed holy. There is a tradition that a Saint, name forgotten, attacked and slew the piast here, and that, when exhausted and parched with thirst, after the encounter, the well miraculously burst forth to refresh him'. The well is no longer venerated. There is a concrete covering over the well which appears to be c. 10m S of the location indicated on the 25-inch OS map.

Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Jean Farrelly · Updated 8 February 2018. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.

Folklore and traditions

According to the OS Letters (1839), the well, 'in the Townland of Tobar na Peisté to which it gave its name signifying the Well of the Worm in which it is said people were accustomed to wash their hands to cure the worm.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact

More holy wells nearby

Advertisement

Visitors' notes

Badges are opinions of visitors - not verified facts. One vote per badge and visitor; no account needed.

Best time to visit

What's missing on this page?

      Share a tip to find it

      Share a local tradition or story

      Suggest a correction

      Suggest the right map location

      Stand at the site and use your location, or type the coordinates.

      Report a duplicate page

      Ask a question

      Do not include personal data. See our privacy notice.

      Around Tobernapeastia

      Other heritage nearby

      Recorded within 5 km

      Walks and trails

      • Freshford LoopWalking Trail · 5.7 km · nearest point 0.4 km
      • North Kilkenny Cycle RouteRoad Cycling Trail · 80.5 km · nearest point 1.2 km
      • Gathabawn LoopWalking Trail · 11.3 km · nearest point 4.9 km

      Outdoors, towns and places to stay

      • JenkinstownForests · 8.8 km
      • CapponellanForests · 11 km
      • Ballykeefe Nature ReserveNature reserves · 14 km
      • Coolacurragh Wood Nature ReserveNature reserves · 15 km
      • KilkennyWalled towns · 15 km
      • Clomanatagh CastleHistoric stays · 4.5 km

      Other attractions nearby

      What's on nearby

      My places: 0