Tobairin Holy Well, Co Kerry, Eire

Tobairin Holy Well
Coomanaspig, near the Cliffs of Kerry, County Kerry, Ireland

Just past the parking area of the Cliffs of Kerry, up the hill, along the Ring of Kerry, is a holy well and Mary shrine embedded into the hillside along the road just as you cross the mountain to St. Finian’s Bay. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, sits the small well locally known as “Tobairin Holy Well.” It was stated to have been built in 1994 so is more modern than most of its counterparts across the Irish landscape. There are cross inscribed stones found around the well, which is a commonplace practice and offering by visiting pilgrims to the well and other similar Christian sacred sites. Small offerings are observed left by pilgrims and visitors, for devotion, respect, and prayer. This overlook has a stunning view of Valentia Island from the top of the Coomanaspig along this Seklligs ring road. Directions: Portmagee along the Ring of Kerry, northwest on the R365, along the Skellig ring road, 4 kilometers on the right. Longitude: 10° 22′ 26″ W, Latitude: 51° 51′ 31″ N.

The inscription at the Base reads: Tobairin, Our Lady of Grace Coomanaspig, During the 1st Mass on Oct 31st 1994, concelebrated by
Fr. P Sugrue P.P & Fr. E. O’Carroll C.C., This grotto was opened & blessed on May 17th 1998 by Bishop of Kerry, Bishop Bill Murphy, concelebrated Mass to 500 people, with Fr. M Hussey P.P. & Fr. John Shanaan P.P. Erected Autumn 1994, thanks to generosity of many people. “May Our Lady bless you in your going, your coming and your staying, May she bless you in your thinking, your doing and your saying, May she bless you in your joys, and bless you when you weep, May she bless you in your waking, and bless you when you sleep
May she keep her arms around you, and fold you to her heart, Till you meet with her and Jesus, where you never more will part, Amen.”

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