Water taken from holy wells on Easter Sunday had special curative powers. Those with a history of successful cures were called Sundays wells (Tobar Rí an Domhnaigh, Well of the King of Sunday). Observing a rising sun while standing beside one was beneficial to health and good fortune, particularly on Easter Sunday morning.
Tobar Rí an Domhnaigh
The village of Tubber derives its name from this holy well. The word "tobar" means a well in English. Tobar Rí an Domhnaigh is located behind the RIC Barracks on the border of Clare and Co. Galway. The well is an oval shaped water filled hollow surrounded by a wall of rough limestone blocks and mortar. There is an altar and a stone table to be seen there. There are also traces of a path circling the altar and the table. Many stories and customs are linked with the well. According to local legend the water from the well will not boil and the branches should not be burned. The altar is situated approximately five metres away from the well. It is a small rectangular shaped stone structure with a 1.5m high gable type roof. Unfortunately it is now quite overgrown. St. Coleman (linked locally with holy wells) is believed to have blessed the well. A statue of the Blessed Virgin is to be seen there. A bronze age medieval crucifix was also discovered at the site of the well. This well was a Lughnasa site, one visited on Garlic Sunday or Garland Sunday, the last Sunday in July. In modern times an open air mass has been held on the feast of the Assumption (15th August) but this tradition has been discontinued in more recent years.
"Enclosed by a circular fence of rude stones piled up without mortar or cement. The well is on the N.E. side of the circle surmounted by a circular wall of limestone about three for four feet high with a small opening in the east where the penitent descends by stone steps down to the water after performing their stations in other parts around the well. There is a small house in the S.W. of the circle for the accommodation of sick persons who come to the well for relief. Over the door cut in stone flag is the following inscription "Pray for the soul of Nelly French who made this monument in 1711" A little to the south of this house stands and alter under two very old and decaying ash trees. The under part of this alter is built with rough unhewn stone and covered at the top with a smooth flag, another flag at the back of it in the wall and one at both ends set up perpendicular which makes it appear like and old-fashioned armchair. There is an inscription which says "Pray for the soul of Helen O'Brien. Alias Kelly alias O'Shaughnessy who made the wall round the well, 9th May 1717"
Tradition asserts that the water in this well cannot be boiled by fire. It appears to be a general rule for those who perform stations at this well to take off their shoes during the ceremony Some years ago a woman not having the fear of God before her eyes, stole a pair of shoes, belonging to another woman at this time engaged in penitential duties. The thief attempted several times to get over the stone fence but was restrained each time by an invisible hand until she was obliged to leave back the shoes in the same place from which she stole them and then she was permitted to get over the fence without any hindrance and take to her heels with all speed. There is another well inside the circle which runs dry in Summer and is not considered as having any virtue although stations are performed at it and prayers rehearsed. There are large rocks and stones in the middle of the circle which make it difficult in some places to walk through it. Several old decayed ash trees which have fallen by the hand of time lie transversely inside the circle in the same position as when they fell and mouldering into final decay but on no account will any person be suffered to lay hand on them or burn them. A birch tree which has been growing inside the circle was uprooted by storm except some of the small fibres, This tree, in its fall was stopped by another tree against which it still leans: the top of this fallen tree covers the holy well in the form of a canopy, the tree still flourishes in full bloom in the season, notwithstanding the damage it has sustained in its roots. This is considered to be the work of Providence"
On the altar to-day is a statue of the Blessed Virgin and also there are seven smooth stones. Historians tell us that these are a usual feature of wells throughout the country. They go back to the ancient fertility cult and also may have connections with Easter. Such wells are known as "eggwells".
Tobereenatemple
In the townland of Shanballysallagh we have the Church and graveyard of Templenadeirca, and about 50 yards to the North of the graveyard wall is a holy well marked on the Ordnance survey maps as Tobereenatemple.
This is an unusual well as it is actually a "bullaun". That is, one of the hollowed out stones that are often found in association with a monastery, and a particular large one at that. The hollow is about two feet deep, and the same width across the top.
Although there is no entry for water it is said never to run dry, and it is also said that if emptied it would be full again next morning. As well as the usual circular wall there is a larger enclosure outside this of about twenty yards square, and the surrounding ground though rocky has a good deal of ash and undergrowth. The well is believed to be particularly effective for eye complaints, and still has an occasional client. There is a story told of a soldier of Cromwell who polluted the well, and bled to death soon after a Poll a'Torcaigh near Ballteige in Ruan where his ghost is said to haunt the place.
