Tobermochulla, Tobar Mochuille, Saint Mochulla's Well, Flagmount
Townland: Flagmount, Feakle
Description of Holy Well and Landscape Setting
This holy well is contained in a rudimentary stone well-house in Flagmount village. Mochulla’s name is etched over the opening of the well house. There is a strong fresh water flow here, with a little stream emerging from the well and flowing down the slope of the field.
Saint and Feast Day Associated with Holy Well
The holy well is associated with Saint Mochulla, whose feast day is 11th January. Up to the year 1839 patterns were held at the principal Mochulla wells on the 23rd of March and the 23rd of June. There is no local history of cures at the well.
Natural Heritage around the Holy Well
The well lies in shaded grassland and is sheltered by some trees along the hedge.
Heritage Attractions Nearby
The well stands in Flagmount Village. Nearby is Lough Graney, named after the old sun goddess Grian. Feakle Village, associated with Biddy Early and Brian Merriman the poet, is a few miles away.
Additional Information
Entries in the National Folklore Collection refer to Saint Mochulla’s Holy Well:
‘When coming to Tulla he (Mochulla) was led by a tame hind. Crossing the mountain known as Flagmount to the East of Lough Graney (Loc Gréine) he is said to have drawn “three fountains of water” from the side of the mountain. At the present day two springs remain and bear the name – Tobar Mochulla’.
‘Blessed wells – fifteen in number – geographically distributed over East Clare – bear the name Tobar Mochulla. Six of these are in the parish of Tulla and occupy positions to the east, west north and south of the Hill. They are to be found at Tulla, immmediately at the base of the Saint’s rampart and in the townlands of Fortanne, Drimleague (Miltown) Cragg, Laharden, Kilgorey. His other wells are at Loughraney, Lough Brighid, Broadford, Clonsheera (near Trough) Ralahine, Rath ( Ráth) (Sixmilebridge) Kilnoe, and Cappavilla’.
Micheál Ó Maonaigh, Tulla, 1938.
Discover More…
For a detailed history and folklore account of Mochulla see:
National Folklore Collection, The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0589, Pages 169 – 185
Record of Monuments and Places Number
RMP-CL020-002
Surveyed by Michael Houlihan
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