A grand example of a large wishing tree (or rag tree) can be found at Tobar Ghobnatan in County Cork Ireland. It is a magical space of charm and tradition, with holy wells, shrines, mythology, and magical spots. As you drive up to the Tobar Ghobnatan Statue, Well, Hut, Grave, Church ruins, and yard, you will see on your right a wrought-iron archway with the letters spelling “HOLY WELL” along its top.
Nestled into the woods between housing estates is a beehive shaped rock cairn covering a historical holy well that today is known as “St. John’s Well” or “Toberabbog”. Since Cork County has a few “St. John’s” Wells, it should be annotated as “St. John’s Well Carrigaline”.
Just inside the gate crossing over to the Island with the Church that is known as Gougane Barra resides a stone-enclosed holy well attributed to Saint Finbarr. Some claim this is one of the most potent holy wells in all of Cork known for its healing properties.
Much lore surrounds the hill, ranging from apparitions of a grey ghostly horse, a big black dog with blazing eyes, and a hold hag with bundles of faggots gliding towards the Holy Well. It is said the well was originally dedicated to St. Werburgh, a Saxon princess who ruled in 689 C.E.
his little housed well is called “Ladyswell” and its well house was built in honour of the Virgin Mary. It was a place of pilgrimage until the end of the 19th century and was also the site of the Fair Green of Cashel, a town fair held every March and June for over 1500 years.
ccording to the Folklore Archive Collection at UCD, the Holy Well of Shanrahan in Shanbally Demesne (ethnographic research from W. Flynn, Poundlane, Clogheen age 80) recently changed names from the “Holy Well of Shanbally” to “St. Malachis Well”. An older woman referred to the well as “Tobar upnai Ceasra” and it was known as a well to be visited every Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.
here are most likely two different holy wells/springs dedicated to St. Marnock in Portmarnock. It was very difficult finding either – the Dublin Well book referred to one below the lighthouse which is pictured here and the other is referred to as being within the graveyard.
In the heart of Malahide sprung forth a natural spring that provided water for residents in this area since prehistoric times. By the historic era, it was well protected and revered as a holy well in addition to being the source of sustenance for the fisherman village. This well is found along the old Main Street in Malahide, which was later called Chapel Street, then Old Street.
A brilliant fortified well that is attached to a chapel is St. Doulagh’s well in north Dublin County in Fingal near Malahide and Swords. Originally a Pagan spring/well-named Bethesda’s sacred pool, this was yet another glorified takeover by Christianity of Pagan sites and named after Saint Doulagh.
As common a name as many across the Irish landscape of “Our Lady’s Well” or simply “Holy Well”, a term given to most holy wells during their Christianization and dedication to the Virgin Mary before being assigned to a given Saint, this holy well is no different. In addition, as with many holy wells, it is no longer extant as a well demolished by means of residential construction.