Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
- Recorded size 1.7m x 0.76m x 0.5m
What to look for
- Stone surround
- Offerings left
- Steps down
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
Holy well known locally as 'St. Bridget's Well' and depicted as 'Toberneeva' on all editions of the OS 6-inch maps. The well stands on the demesne lands of Castle Armstrong.
Full archaeological record 185 words
Holy well known locally as 'St. Bridget's Well' and depicted as 'Toberneeva' on all editions of the OS 6-inch maps. The well stands on the demesne lands of Castle Armstrong. The castle and later demesne house of Castle Armstrong stands 240m to SSW. Natural spring well (dims. 1.7m x 0.76m x 0.5m) inside square-shaped area enclosed by a stone wall with iron gate. The well which was originally stone lined has stone steps leading down to the water. A modern lintel over the well has the words 'St Bridget's Well' carved into its surface. Hazel and hawthorn tress now growing around the edge of the well with evidence of votive offerings. Described in 1977 as a 'sub-circular hollow approx. 1.5-2m deep with a small spring at the base. The northern face of the embankment or scarp above the well is roughly faced with dry stone walling. There is a small stream flowing southwards from the well. This stream is approx. 4m long and dissappears underground to emerge in the field drain further south. An ivy covered alder bush hangs over the well' (ASI file 1977).
References
- Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien
- Date of revised upload: 24 June 2015
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
Hazel and hawthorn tress now growing around the edge of the well with evidence of votive offerings.
More holy wells nearby

Saint Manchan's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Lemanaghan · Offaly · 3.2 km away
Saint Anthony's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Killina · Offaly · 11 km away
Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Clonlyon Glebe · Offaly · 11 km away
Bride's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Ardnurcher · Westmeath · 13 km away
St. Bridget's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Cloonown · Roscommon · 15 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Rathlihen · Offaly · 15 km away
Visitors' notes
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Around Toberneeva
Other heritage nearby
- Lemanaghan CastleCastle · 3.2 km
- Saint Manchan's ChurchAncient church · 3.2 km
- Doon CastleCastle · 6.3 km
- Gallen MonasteryAncient church · 8.8 km
- Gallen PrioryAbbey or friary · 8.9 km
- St Carthach's ChurchAncient church · 9.2 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 18 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 8 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 ancient churchArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Pilgrim's Road to ClonmacnoiseRoad Cycling Trail · 24.4 km · nearest point 0.6 km
- Offaly WayLong Distance Waymarked Way · 40.5 km · nearest point 3.3 km
- Lough Boora - Turraun Walking TrailWalking Trail · 14.7 km · nearest point 7.5 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Durrow AbbeyForests · 13 km
- Clara Bog Nature ReserveNature reserves · 7.1 km
- Mongan Bog Nature ReserveNature reserves · 15 km
Other attractions nearby
- Lemanaghan Monastic SiteHistoric Houses and Castle · 3.2 km
What's on nearby
- Apitherapy Seminar - Bee Products for Health & Wellbeing2026-11-14 · 17 km
Excavations nearby
- E2669 Curries 1, County WestmeathRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 7.2 km
- E2670 Curries 2, County WestmeathRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 7.2 km

