My First Visit

Today at lunchtime, Cllr. Marie Baker was kind enough to escort me to the well. Not only that, but the day before she had a pathway cut through the growth around it so we could get up there without being stung by nettles. Aces! The well is located in the side of a slope which, according to some reading I've done, was once a sea cliff. It is now on the most inland part of the Scouts field, and almost directly under the private garden of Mrs. Murphy above. It is covered over by some wire and metal beams, but you can see down into it, and judging by the sound of the water, the spring is very much alive! Safety is indeed an issue. It is estimated to drop down about six feet, which is scary when children are running around. Cllr. Baker said that there has been talk of restoring it a bit - getting a pathway put in and putting a proper cover on it. I think that the cover is necessary for safety, but I would like to see it done so that there is still a way to access the water.

It was thought to have a cure for sore eyes, as many holy wells were thought to have. Many wells are called Tobar na Súil, or Well of the Eye, because of that. We called up to Mrs. Murphy because she was thought to have a pamphlet or something about the well. She said that the name Tobernea meant 'Washing Well', which phonetically makes sense as the Irish word for 'wash' is 'nigh'. I still believe more that it is named for St. Nathy, but it's an interesting alternative to the meaning. She also said there's a book on Blackrock in the library which has information on the well. However, the library is in a temporary place at the moment and all resources might not be available. I am going to try anyway.

I expressed interest in reviving the pilgrimage to the well. Mrs. Murphy remembered one happening in the past, where a priest would lead the ritual and hymns would be sung. My own interest would be simply to have a spiritual gathering of meditation and celebration that's open to everyone. The site would need to be cleaned up a bit and made absolutely safe first. I'm hoping something can be done for August 1st, but we shall see.

It is so amazing to me that this well is in existence, and is as clean as it seems to be. From the sound of the water, it doesn't seem to be very blocked up. It is so deep. Mrs. Murphy said her late husband went down there once to collect water for someone, but said he wouldn't do it again because of the depth. I look forward to a day when I might climb down there myself.