Toberinneenboy, Tobar Iníon Bhaoith. Locally known as Saint Finghin's, Quin

Site of Toberinneenboy, Tobar Iníon Bhaoith

James Feeney

Toberinneenboy, Tobar Iníon Bhaoith Holy Well, locally known as St. Finghin's, Quin Commons

James Feeney

Toberinneenboy, Tobar Iníon Bhaoith. Locally known as Saint Finghin's, Quin

Michael Houlihan

Townland: Quin Commons, Quin

Description of Holy Well and Landscape Setting

The well, now lost, once lay in the marshy grounds to the north west of Quin Abbey.

Saint and Feast Day Associated with Holy Well

This well was associated with Inneenboy or Inghean Bhaoith, which translates to the ‘Daughter of Baoith’. The feast day of this saint was celebrated on 29th December, according to the letters of Ordnance Surveyor John O’ Donovan.

Iníon Bhaoith’s name was Fionnmhaith according to Professor Pádraig Ó Riain, author of ‘A Dictionary of Irish Saints’. This is one of many wells associated with Iníon Bhaoith in the county that have been discontinued or rededicated.

Natural Heritage around the Holy Well

The well ground around where the well once lay is covered in rushes, with marsh irises growing in season. The site is close to the River Rine and is liable to flooding.

Heritage Attractions Nearby

The well lies at the edge of Quin Village. Both the Franciscan Abbey and Saint Finghin’s Church in Quin Village are well worth a visit. Nearby are Knappogue Tower House and Magh Adhair, the inauguration mound of the Dalcassian O’ Briens.

Additional Information

Entry on Iníon Bhaoith’s in the Ordnance survey Letters, John O’Donovan, 1839:

‘Inghean Bhaoith is best known as the ancient patron saint of the parish of Killinaboy (Ceall Inghine Baoith) and devotion to her is evident in the many wells named after her in this area and where her cult was widespread. There are at least seventeen holy wells dedicated to Inghean Bhaoith located mainly in the central parts of Clare, including two in the parish of Doora/Barefield, at Dulick and Doora. Despite the widespread devotion to this saint she remains an obscure figure and even the etymological derivation of the name Inghean Bhaoith is far from certain. The name is usually translated as “Daughter of Baoith”. It may also have been a word referring to her vocation as groups of holy women or nuns were designated “Ingena” and figured prominently in the early centuries of the church in Ireland.’