Saint Brendan's Well, Tobar Bhreandáin, Cloonnagarnaun

Saint Brendan's Well, Tobar Bhreandáin
James Feeney
Saint Brendan's Well, Tobar Bhreandáin
James Feeney
Saint Brendan's Well, Tobar Bhreandáin
James Feeney
Saint Brendan's Well, Tobar Bhreandáin
James Feeney
Saint Brendan's Well, Tobar Bhreandáin
James Feeney

Townland: Cloonnagarnaun, Killard

The townland name, Cloon na gCarnán translates as ‘The Lawn or the Meadow of the (Stone) Heaps or Mounds’.

Description of Holy Well and Landscape Setting

This well lies on a farm several hundred metres from the road. It is located in the corner of a grazing field with a protective wall and gate surrounding it. A large clump of bushes now enclose the well.

Saint and Feast Day Associated with Holy Well

This well is dedicated to Saint Brendan who is also associated with Ardfert in Kerry and Clonfert in Galway. His cult once extended along the western seaboard as far north as Sligo. Holy Wells dedicated to Saint Brendan can also be found in West and North Clare. Brendan is an anglicized version of Bréanainn, the Gaeilic name of the Saint. His feast day is 16th March.

Natural Heritage Around the Holy Well

The well is located in the corner of a grazing field. A large clump of bushes surround the well site. The field has few trees and is sloped towards the well.

Heritage Attractions Nearby

A short distance from the well in the same townland is Kilnacloghaun Graveyard, known as Clohane. The site is situated between Doonbeg and Quilty. The area is a short distance from the Atlantic coastline, with White Strand close by.

Additional Information

Record written by Eugene O’Curry in Ordnance Survey Letters, 1839:

‘There is a Holy Well in the Townland of Cluain-na-gCarnán dedicated to St. Breanain, and called here corruptly Tobbar-Breanaill, to which people still resort for the cure of soreness of the eyes.’

Discover More…

Clare County Library

Ordnance Survey Letters, Royal Irish Academy

Ordnance Survey Letters, Ask About Ireland

Record of Monuments and Places Number

RMP-CL038-045

 

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