Tober Patrick, Dromard, Co. Sligo

Co. Sligo |

Holy Sites & Wells

Tober Patrick, Dromard, Co. Sligo

At the base of a steep north-facing ridge in Dromard, tucked into a natural hollow, two holy wells sit side by side within a small square enclosure measuring eleven metres across.

What makes this site quietly unusual is the compression of sacred objects into that modest space: two wells, a stone altar, a crucifixion plaque set into the enclosure wall, and a third well just outside the boundary, all operating together as components of a single ritual landscape that is still actively used.

The larger of the two wells is dedicated to St. Patrick and takes the form of a circular pool, roughly two metres in diameter, ringed by a stone wall with four steps leading down to the water. Directly adjoining it on the western side is St. Brigid's well, covered by a massive roofing slab whose surface is marked with numerous crudely inscribed crosses, the kind of informal devotional carving that accumulated over generations of use. A plain rectangular stone altar stands within the enclosure, and a crucifixion plaque is built into the enclosure wall a short distance to the south-west. The third well, positioned about 1.7 metres north of the enclosure, served a specific penitential purpose: pilgrims washed their feet there both before and after undertaking the patterns, the traditional rounds of prayer and ritual circumambulation that were a feature of Irish holy well devotion.

Patterns are still held at Tober Patrick annually on the 29th of June, which means the site retains a living ceremonial function rather than existing purely as an archaeological remnant. Visitors coming at that time of year would find the enclosure in active use; at other times the hollow setting and the inscribed crosses on St. Brigid's roofing slab repay close attention.

Rated 0 out of 5

Visitor Notes

Review type for post source and places source type not found
Added by
Picture of Pete F
Pete F
IrishHistory.com is passionate about helping people discover and connect with the rich stories of their local communities.
Please use the form below to submit any photos you may have of Tober Patrick, Dromard, Co. Sligo. We're happy to take any suggested edits you may have too. Please be advised it will take us some time to get to these submissions. Thank you.
Name
Email
Message
Upload images/documents
Maximum file size: 100 MB
If you'd like to add an image or a PDF please do it here.

Advertisement