Devotions

While Tobernalt is visited every day , Tuesday has been the day of special devotion when many people from the surrounding districts and from Sligo town visit the Holy Well and perform the traditional stations. This consists of the Rosary said kneeling at the altar, the Stations of the Cross performed three times, followed by the prayers for the Pope's intentions.

Unusually, and in contrast to many other holy wells around Ireland, the tradition at Tobernalt is to walk around the well anti-clockwise while praying.

Apart from the usual Garland Sunday devotions, other devotions, both private and organised, take place throughout the year. The rosary is recited at the well during the year but especially during the months of May and October, months especially associated with Our lady. At the beginning of June before the start of the state examinations (Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate) a mass is usually celebrated for temperance and for success in the examinations. Students usually process from Sligo up to Tobernalt for the celebration of the mass. 

Garland Sunday Devotions

Garland Sunday is perhaps the busiest day of the year at Tobernalt. Special devotions are held during the last weekend of July. The weekend's devotions usually start with the Rosary on the Friday night. Confessions are held on the Saturday night followed by evening mass.

Garland Sunday itself starts early. Traditionally people walk in pilgrimage up to Tobernalt from Sligo for the first mass at 6am which is usually celebrated by the Bishop of Elphin. Another mass is held at 10am. Another mass with anointing of the sick is held at noon. Adoration of the Blessed sacrament at the mass rock with special prayers is held in the afternoon.

Historically, 1921 was the year when the first mass was celebrated at Tobernalt since penal times. With the exception of 1922, when mass was cancelled due to activities associated with the Civil War in the area, mass has been celebrated on every Garland Sunday since 1921.

It was also traditional that on Garland Sunday many families got a boat from Riverside and rowed up to Cairns Quay, just adjacent to Tobernalt, to attend the ceremonies during Garland Sunday.