Our Lady's Well, Kilmaley
Townland: Kilmaley, Cill Maile, The Church of Maley
Description of Holy Well and Landscape Setting
The well lies on a slope above the Lecarrow Beg River. The grounds around the well are well maintained. The well is decorated in the Marian colours of blue and white.
Saint and Feast Day Associated with Holy Well
The well is now dedicated to Our Lady, though its listed name is ‘Toberscreabhan’, suggesting it was once dedicated to another saint. The old church and graveyard are visible across the river from the holy well site and the well is still visited.
Ordnance Survey Letters, 1839:
‘About one hundred and fifty yards south of the Church, at the other side of the River, is a Holy Well dedicated to the Virgin Mary at which devotions still continue to be performed for the cure of sore eyes.’
Natural Heritage around the Holy Well
The well has a channel to remove excess water in wet weather. It was dry at the time of the research visit.
Heritage Attractions Nearby
Kilmaley village is a few minutes from the holy well site. There is good coarse fishing in the nearby lakes.
Additional Information
James Frost, ‘The History and Topography of the County of Clare’, 1893:
‘The Calendars are silent as to the history of St. Maley. Only a portion of the old church is standing; in its vicinity is a large grave-yard, and not far off are two holy wells, one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and the other to Sgrevaun of Clondagad.’
Ordnance Survey Letters, 1839:
‘At about the distance of a furlong east of the Church is a Holy Well dedicated to St. Sgreabhan of Clondagad, at which devotions continue to be performed for the cure of sore eyes.’
Perhaps this record refers to present day Tobar Oonagh
Discover More…
Ordnance Survey Letters, Royal Irish Academy
Ordnance Survey Letters, Ask About Ireland
Frost, J 1893, ‘The History and Topography of the County of Clare: From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the 18th Century’, Sealy, Bryers & Walker, Dublin
Record of Monuments and Places
RMP-CL040-016
Surveyed by Michael Houlihan
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What is the name of the holy well in clounlaheen East. By Doolough lake
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