Dublin Core
Title
Tobar Liagáin (St. Brigid's Well)
Description of Well Item Type Metadata
1 Name of well and saint
Tobar Liagáin (St. Brigid's Well)
2 Townland, County, GPS
Carrowkeel, Rahara, Co. Roscommon
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
The well, located in Carrowkeel, Rahara, Co. Roscommon, was named on the first Ordinance Survey May in 1837 as Tobar Largan, (Tobar Liagáin). The well is also known locally as St. Brigid’s Well, and the stream that feeds it is connected to nearby Lough Funshinagh. A stone font found at the well is an important relic believed to have come from Rahara medieval church. This font is now on display in the County Museum, Roscommon town. The holy water font is hallowed on top, with the font having a perfectly carved head raised out of stone. Some say this is St. Brigid, who is said to have visited the well when she was in the Brideswell or Cam area of Roscommon. The head has slanted, almond shaped eyes, wearing a mitre shaped hat which covers the ears. The nose and mouth are very worn. A theory is that this stone font once had three heads, similar to one at Brideswell (originally Cam medieval church), symbolising the Holy Trinity. This would make it quite a rare relic of great importance.
4 Cure
The well is said to have had healing powers.
7 Prayer rounds and stations
Traditionally, locals threw water on the stone three times before filing water for their own domestic use. A broad, flat stone over the well helped in collecting the water. Stations were performed at the well years ago, finishing up at Áth na Croise (Ford of the Cross). People walked around the well five or six times, using slips of grass like rosary beads.
8 Stories
Long ago, a bonfire was held at this well every St. John’s Eve.
9 Publications
Rahara, A Century of Memories; 'Heads and Tails of Stone' by Albert Siggins in Roscommon Historical & Archaeological Society Vol 3