Tobar na Naoimh, the Well of the Saints, Lakyle

Site of Tobar na Naoimh, the Well of the Saints, Lakyle

James Feeney

Site of Tobar na Naoimh, the Well of the Saints, Lakyle

James Feeney

Townland: Lakyle, Clonrush

Lakyle may be ‘Leath Choill’ meaning ‘Half Wood’ or perhaps ‘Leamh Choill’ meaning Elm Wood

Description of Holy Well and Landscape Setting

The well is located close to Cappaghabaun Mountain, near the secondary road R352. The well once lay at the centre of a meadow but has been covered in in recent decades according to locals. No sign of the holy well remains.

Saint and Feast Day Associated with Holy Well

The name of this holy well translates as ‘The Well of the Saints’. Locals who visited the site knew it as Saint Brigid’s Well. One family living close by would visit the well on the 1st of February in the past.

Natural Heritage around the Holy Well

There were tall grasses growing in field at time of the research visit. Ash, alder, whitethorns and blackthorns grow in the hedges around.

Heritage Attractions Nearby

The village of Whitegate is close to the holy well site, and refreshments can be found here. Lough Derg offers boating, fishing, wildlife and trips to Holy Island (Iniscealtra).

Additional Information

Entry for Lakyle, Logainm.ie

‘In Allston a subdivision of Laughil—Leath choill-townland, is a burying place called Cill (Kill). A holy well called Tobar na naemh (Tobernaneeve) the well of the saints, lies near ¼ mile from Whitegate village…’ ( LSO (Ga), ii, 179/531 TO’C).