Tobercrine, Tobar Crainn, Blessed Tree Well, Quin
Townland: Quin Townland, Quin
Description of Holy Well and Landscape Setting
The well stands in open ground to the south-east of Quin Friary. There is no sign of the well which is said to be in the trunk of a giant sycamore the tree. It may be higher up.
Saint and Feast Day Associated with Holy Well
The local story about the holy well is that it lay in an area close to the Rine River, between Saint Finghin’s church and the Franciscan Friary. Folklore suggests that sometime in the past the well was either damaged or ‘offended’. This occurs when a holy well is used for secular activity such as washing clothes, borrowing water for cooking, etc. As a consequence, the holy well moves to a new location.
This holy well was probably dedicated to Saint Finghin/Fineen, who is considered to be the Patron Saint of Quin. The last account of regular visitations to the well was in an article in the ‘Clare Champion’ in March 1932.
Natural Heritage around the Holy Well
There are some mature trees in the area, mostly whitethorns. There are no other trees as large as the sycamore. There are remains of several low walls present at the well site, as well as what could be settlements associated with the old ecclesiastical community. Some loose stones from these structures have been absorbed by the tree and are now integrated as part of the tree structure.
Heritage Attractions Nearby
As well as the nearby churches, there is also the medieval inauguration mound at Magh Adhair , Toonagh. Several archaeological monuments dating to the Bronze Age can also be found close by, including the Late Bronze Age hill-fort at Mooghaun.
Discover More…
Reference to the visits to the well can be found in Clare Champion newspaper, ‘Stories of a Seanchaidhe’, 19th March,1932.
Record of Monuments and Places Number
RMP-CL042-02706
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