TOBERNALT (THE HOLY WELL)
The history of Tobernalt predates the advent of Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. It is a natural spring well that established itself in a primeval forest. Tobernalt, because of its ability to cater for rites and rituals quickly became the main area where the festival of Lughnasa was celebrated. This festival was to the lord of the harvest and consisted of a popular assembly of three days. Tradition is emphatic that St Patrick evangelised at Tobernalt and probably baptised the first Celtic Christians in the waters of Tobernalt. He brought the Christian dimension to the well that has been handed down as the faith inheritance associated with Tobernalt.
PENAL TIMES
Tobernalt became a secluded haven for the celebration of Holy Mass in the early years of the eighteenth century when the penal laws were applied most severely and Catholics could not celebrate Holy Mass in their churches. The faithful often set out the night before to journey in small quiet groups to be at the Tobernalt before cockcrow where they would wait for the priest to emerge at the mass rock. Mass was celebrated, children were baptized, people married and confession heard. Eventually the crowd would disappear into the early morning and the priest would drift away to emerge at a later date.
TOBERNALT TODAY
The Holy Well as it is commonly known of today, is a special place of pilgrimage throughout the year for public or private prayer, especially on a Tuesday for the nine Tuesdays special novena and also on the last weekend of July, to remember our rich Christian heritage and to pray for our future.
You are invited to partake in a wee Camino similar to our forefathers from Sligo town to the Holy Well, a special and sacred place as an opportunity to take some time to reflect.