St. Biorran’s Well

St. Biorran’s Well

Toberberry Well (St Biorran’s Well)

Lobinstown, Meath

In 1886, Thunder wrote that the well was located about a mile from Syddan, (Thunder 1886: 657) in County Meath. French notes that “in the Name Books and on the OS maps it is recorded as Lady Well” (French 2012: 95).

French states that “in 1942, Toberberry Well, on the lands of Mr. Peter Gray, Woodtown, was the scene of an annual pilgrimage on the first Sunday in August. The well was supposed to overflow at midnight on the first of August. The well was in a rather inaccessible spot, entailing a quarter mile walk south [through] fields from Gray’s house.” Additionally, that “the pattern was still occurring in 1949” and “It was believed that the well was dry throughout the year until midnight on the eve of the first Sunday in August when the water in the well sprang up and a few days later the water dried up again” (French 2012: 95-96).

“Water taken from the well was said to stay fresh for a a complete twelve months. The big tree was decayed and a suggestion was made that the tree died as a result of pins being driven into it by pilgrims” (French 2012: 96)

“It is said that a cripple was once carried on a little to St. Biorran’s Well, where he was cured, and able to walk home. He left behind him the litter, which took root, and a ‘large tree grew from it’” (Thunder 1886: 657). French notes that “the well was also said to be associated with Bernard, which may have been the name of the cripple who left his litter at the well and was cured. St Bernard was associated with nearby Millifont” (French 2012: 95)

Thunder, John M. “The Holy Wells of Meath.” The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland. Oct 1886-Jan 1887, pp 655-658.

French, Noel. 2012. Meath Holy Wells. Trim: Meath Heritage Centre.