Reflections

Many people have reflected on their experience of visiting Tobernalt and the positive effect it has had on them. The homepage of this site contained a reflection by the Archbishop of Tuam on his visit to Tobernalt Holy Well long ago. The following articles have been published in local newspapers in the recent past giving an insight into the special place that is Tobernalt.

 

Divine Intervention After Holy Well Visit

 

It wasn’t quite a miracle. But a visit last week to Toberalt Holy Well did produce what could be described as divine intervention. Late on Tuesday evening my wife and I found ourselves in town and with nothing to do for an hour – which believe me is in itself a very unusual occurrence. So we decided to go for a short drive. We went down by scenic Doorly Park, through Cleveragh and past Tonaphubble. Then I suggested that we go check out the Holy Well, a place we hadn’t been for at least ten years. In fact, the few times I had been there previously, it was part of a tour to show visitors some of Sligo’s beauty spots.

On arrival we were reminded of the beauty of that very special place and its peace and serenity. Even though it was a blustery evening, from once we entered the area around the well, there wasn’t even a hint of a breeze. Candles burned without a flicker. A constant trickle of people – most of them young – silently filed in and out. Some stopped to pray at the open-air altar, others walked slowly and quietly around marvelling at this little oasis of peace. Heading back to the car, thinking out loud, I said to my wife that I must get some information on the well for an article in the paper. But like a lot of ideas that I have, I had forgotten about it again by the time I reached home.

On arriving in my office the next morning, the phone was ringing. On answering it I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was Paul Keogh at St. John’s church in Carraroe. And guess what, he had an article on the Holy Well ready to send me and he wanted to know my email address.
I was dumbfounded. Just 12 hours earlier I had happened to drift along to the well without setting out to do so, for the first time to visit it in many years. I had thought about getting some info on it. And the very first phone call I get the next morning tells me that an article is on its way. I wonder what were the odds of that happening? I reckon the chances of winning the lotto would be better. For those who may have not been to Tobernalt, I can recommend it as one of Sligo’s ‘must see’ attractions.

Many visit Tobernalt in search of peace. I’m told some go to seek healing and others go to find a perfect atmosphere for contemplation and worship. And possibly a majority go along merely to experience its beauty. But whatever, your reasons for going I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Tobernalt will have its busiest few days of the year next weekend for the Garland Sunday ceremonies. The Garland weekend devotions start on Friday with the Rosary at 7pm and end at 3.30pm on Sunday with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. For the more enthusiastic, there is a dawn mass at 6am on Sunday morning.

The history of Garland Sunday – or Bilberry Sunday as it is known in some areas – goes back to pagan times. One story has it that it was considered the end of the ‘hungry season’ when people could enjoy a good meal of new potatoes at this time of year. Whatever the truth of that, it is good to see that in these times of plenty when sadly a lot of the old customs are let die, Garland Sunday still lives on. And the Holy Well is as good a place as any to go to mark it. 

 

by Brian Mc Hugh

from "The Sligo Weekender", July 2oth, 2004
 

Tobernalt Remains A Special Place

 

From my youngest days, Tobernalt, or the Holy Well as it is sometimes called, has held a special fascination for me. It is there that I go to give thanks for the many blessings I enjoy, or with requests for special needs. Often, I go just to absorb its peace and tranquillity, in stark contrast to the hectic schedule of modern living. So where or what is Tobernalt?

Tobernalt is an ancient, pagan assembly place, approximately three miles east of Sligo town, near the shores of Lough Gill. Its religious connotations go back to the mists of Celtic times and when Christianity came to Ireland. Perhaps this is why Garland Sunday, the last Sunday in July has special associations with Tobernalt.  As the word tobar meaning a well indicates there is a spring well here from which clear, icy water continuously flows in a stream to Lough Gill. For as long as I can remember, there is a beautiful altar cut from the rocky face of a heavily wooded hill, which shelters this place and gives it its air of seclusion and mystery.

The Sisters of Mercy in Sligo built this particular altar in thanksgiving for the saving of inhabitants of Sligo from a virulent fever long before my day. As one approaches the copse of trees at the entrance to Tobernalt, one usually stands still by a large rock to look around in the shady dim light. Tradition says that St Patrick rested here on his way from Lough Derg and left the imprint of his hand on the rock. To this day, one can stretch one’s fingers and thumb to fit the indentations on its smooth surface.

On looking upwards to the altar one is taken with its rugged beauty and feels at once that this is a holy, hidden place. The water is icy cold and so refreshing coming as it does from the solid rock. It is reported to have medicinal qualities and generations have drunk there hoping to be cured of their many ailments. It is especially recommended for eye ailments of all sorts. Some people have left bits of rags and walking sticks hanging on the trees, as proof of their belief and devotion. We loved this water. Having walked three miles from town, it was very welcome and refreshing. We never minded the walk as we came with friends. On arrival, having eaten and rested, we proceeded to say our prayers. Leaving the wild flowers we had gathered on the way at Our Lady’s feet, we made the Stations of the Cross.

The main celebration at Tobernalt was of course held on Garland Sunday. How we prayed it would be fine and never minded rising in the early hours of 5am to make first Mass at 7am. The road would be crowded with whole families of people on foot like ourselves. Everyone knew everyone else, so there was much laughter and chatting. Some older people said the rosary. On a sunny morning it was a delight to walk in the freshness of early day. During the Mass, everyone joined in the hymn singing with the choir. Hymn singing in the open air is different.

On the green nearby, there were many stalls, selling all sorts of religious objects: rosary beads, scapulars, and prayer books. Others sold tea, bread, buns and cakes. My family always walked home. Having fasted from midnight we did justice to rashers, sausages, eggs, puddings and golden fried bread. Some people spent the whole day at Tobernalt and I believe there were sports and music all afternoon.

Tobernalt is a special place for Sligo people and I have no doubt that it will continue to be so. Having retained its aura of mystique and history since time immemorial, it has become a restful corner in our hectic world. It is a place to stand still, to listen to birdsong and to the gentle gurgle of the stream on its way to the lake.

It is to realise that thousands of men and women – now long gone and forgotten – have done this before us, bringing their worries and woes with them. We too will go and like them be forgotten while Tobernalt with its ageless beauty and peace will offer these qualities to anyone who seeks them, in this shady, tranquil place by the shores of Lough Gill. 

 

by Bernie Gilbride

from "The Sligo Weekender", February 3rd, 2004

 

Garland Weekend Celebrations at Oasis of Peace and Serenity

"One of the largest attendance for many years was present at Tobernalt, Sligo’s Holy Well on Sunday morning last. Hundreds walked and cycled from Sligo and the surrounding districts to be present at the Garland Sunday ceremonies. Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev T Hanley CC St Mary’s who also recited the Stations of the Cross. Huge numbers received Holy Communion. Great scenes of devotion were witnessed during the open-air Mass celebrated in a peaceful and magnificent setting and under a cloudless sky. A particularly pleasing and interesting feature of the ceremonies was the music excellently rendered by a choir which was composed of members of the Sligo Cathedral, Holy Cross and Carraroe Choirs. Mr Hugh Conway, Market Street, played the harmonium and his father directed the choir which sang many beautiful hymns during Mass." (Sligo Champion – 1st August 1942)

 

Around this time of year Tobernalt Holy Well springs to life in every way. The sunshine warms its beautiful surroundings and the evening dusk tears through the treetops. Besides its surroundings springing to life Tobernalt becomes, as it is all year round, a beautiful oasis of peace and serenity. Many visit The Holy Well in search of peace and healing and find Tobernalt creates the perfect atmosphere for contemplation and worship. Tour groups visit from many parts of the world, including, England, Europe, Asia and the United States.

 

Mass is celebrated by many pilgrim groups from around Ireland and other countries. Tobernalt is remembered in many history books, tour guides, Web Sites and in poetry especially this one recorded in June by Eileen King:

 

I come; I sit and close my eyes

Life rushes by but I am still, at peace in the quiet and solitude.

The sounds of Tobernalt soothe my mind.

 

At this Holy Well God is near

His creation flowing and I am welcome here

A silent guest to all that is simple and beautiful,

My imperfection matters not

For I am God’s created.

 

Eyes still closed yet penetrated by the light of the sun.

A life transformed, cares undone

And I am still.

 

The history of Tobernalt Holy Well predates the advent of Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. It is a natural spring well that established itself in a primeval forest.

The hinterland of Tobernalt stretches westwards to Knocknarea and it was not surprising that the Celts settled here and farmed the plain extending from Tobernalt to the sea. The evidence of the early farmsteads is dotted all over the area on the form of ring forts.

 

FESTIVAL

Tobernalt, because of its ability to cater for rites and rituals, quickly became the main area where the festival of Lughanasa was celebrated. This festival was to the lord of the harvest and consisted of a popular assembly of three days’. The optimism of the celebration lay in the anticipation of a plentiful harvest. Tradition is emphatic that St Patrick evangelised at Tobernalt and probably baptised the first Celtic Christians in the waters of Tobernalt Holy Well. He brought the Christian dimension to the well that has been handed down as the faith inheritance associated with Tobernalt.

 

Penal Times

Also, Tobernalt became a secluded haven for the celebration of Mass in the early years of the eighteenth century when the penal laws were applied most severely. The faithful often set out the night before to journey in small quiet groups to be at Tobernalt before cockcrow. Not everybody who journeyed was present for Mass; those who were at the lookout positions at Dooney, Drumiskabole, Cairns and secluded areas along the shore of Lough Gill, kept watch and provided security against attack.

 

Garland Weekend – 27th – 29th July

Along with St Patrick bringing the Christian dimension to Tobernalt, the festival of Lughanasa also became Christianised and came to be called Garland Sunday. Devotions at Tobernalt reach their climax at the Garland Sunday weekend celebrations. The numbers that come to Tobernalt over that particular weekend are in the thousands. Many pilgrims come from far and near for the weekend devotions. The people of Sligo and all who visit around this time of year enjoy the Garland weekend Celebrations annually. It provides an opportunity for all parishes to unite in prayer and thanksgiving for the faith that has been handed down through the generations.

 

The weekend celebrations offer a unique place to reflect and pray, and an invitation to relax and release stress. The celebrations and Tobernalt challenge us to ensure that the tradition will continue to enrich the generations not yet born. The programme is as follows:

Garland Weekend Celebration - 27th – 29th July 2007

Friday 27th July: 7:00pm Rosary; Saturday 28th July:7:30 – 8:00pm, Confessions Available; 8:00pm Evening Mass offered for all pilgrims who visit the Holy Well throughout the year. Sunday 29th July: 6:00am Dawn Mass with traditional walking Pilgrimage from surrounding areas.

 

10:00am - Morning Mass: We pray for all Christians that they may have the courage to live their faith and continue to bear witness to it. 12:00noon Noon Mass with prayers for healing and Anointing of the sick; 3:30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with various reflections.

 

Visitors

Pilgrims come from many parts of Sligo and surrounding areas to join in this special programme. In the last few years pilgrims have come from Dublin, Galway, Meath, Monaghan and many part of Northern Ireland to name but a few. Visitors call to the Holy Well from many parts of Ireland, the United States, England and Europe. The Holy Well is part of the discover Sligo tour and indeed is also visited by many coach tours during the year. Also lots of pilgrim groups visit the well to celebrate Mass or say a special prayer. It is a special place for newly married couples to come for a special prayer and a photograph.

 

Down through the years the Holy Well has experienced many changes. The beginnings of this sacred shrine rested in the water and Mass rock. People gathered to give thanks to the Pagan god for a good and plentiful harvest. After St. Patrick and his labours in converting Ireland to Christianity, the Holy Well became a place of prayer. In penal times it was a secluded and safe haven to commemorate the Mass, baptise, celebrate marriage. In later years when religious freedom came to Ireland Tobernalt became a place of reflections and prayer.

 

The Holy Well has seen many developments. In the mid sixties the Lourdes grotto to Our Lady and St. Bernadette was added high up in the cliff. On the opposite side the Crucifixion scene with Our Lady and St. John and down at ground level the shrine to St. Anne. Also the Stations of the Cross are spread through the grounds and in the last year the Mysteries of the Rosary were also added.

 

This year make a note in your diary to come to the Holy Well sometime from 27th -29th July. Here is a place of much beauty, of prayer, of peace and serenity. Here the pilgrim can reflect and ponder on their individual journey through this world.

 

Information

For information on Tobernalt, "Tobernalt History and Heritage" is a book that provides a more detailed account of the origins and history of Tobernalt Holy Well. There are also interesting photographs which highlight the long standing tradition of devotion prevalent at Tobernalt from years gone past to the present day. Also, "Tobernalt Holy Well Prayer Book" is a treasury of prayers and Novenas and includes the Stations of the Cross and Rosary meditations. These may be used in conjunction with those present at the Holy Well. Both of these books are available at Veritas & Bookshops in Sligo town and from St. John’ Presbytery, Carraroe, Sligo.

 

from "The Sligo Champion"

July 25th, 2007