Tobar Iníon Baoith, locally known as Saint Colman’s Holy Well, Quakerstown

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Tobar Inion Baoith, locally known as Saint Colman’s Holy Well, Quakerstown

Tony Kirby

zoom

Tobar Inion Baoith, locally known as Saint Colman’s Holy Well, Quakerstown

Tony Kirby

zoom

Tobar Inion Baoith, locally known as Saint Colman’s Holy Well, Quakerstown

Tony Kirby

zoom

Tobar Inion Baoith, locally known as Saint Colman’s Holy Well, Quakerstown

Tony Kirby

Townland: Quakerstown

Description of Holy Well and Landscape Setting

This surprising well is located in an area of level pavement on the west slope of a small grassy depression with some blackthorn and hazel scrub. At pavement level there is a pile of stones and below that, the remains of a circular wall partially enclosing the spring. The fallen stones have obscured some of the spring and stream. A good flow of water issues from the bedrock and sinks just a few metres further east. From an old photo in the book ‘The Parish of Kilkeedy’, F.Brew, it would seem that little has changed at the site in the past 20 years.

Saint and Feast Day Associated with Holy Well

T.J. Westropp writes that this holy well is dedicated to Inghean Baoith, although locally it is associated with Saint Colman. The pattern day at the holy well is not known.

Natural Heritage around the Holy Well

The area around the holy well is typical Lowlands Burren limestone pavement with scattered areas of species rich grazing. The grassy depression containing the well has blackthorn and hazel scrub with mixed undergrowth.

Discover More…

Brew, F 1998, The Parish of Kilkeedy: a local history, published by Author, Tubber

Westropp, T.J. 1912, A Folklore Survey of County Clare, edited in 2000 by Maureen Comber, CLASP Press, Ennis.

Record of Monuments and Places Number

RMP – CL011-006