Faerie Lore and Legends

Tobairin Holy Well
Coomanaspig, near the Cliffs of Kerry, County Kerry, Ireland

Just past the parking area of the Cliffs of Kerry, up the hill, along the Ring of Kerry, is a holy well and Mary shrine embedded into the hillside along the road just as you cross the mountain to St. Finian’s Bay. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, sits the small well locally known as “Tobairin Holy Well.” It was stated to have been built in 1994 so is more modern than most of its counterparts across the Irish landscape. There are cross inscribed stones found around the well, which is a commonplace practice and offering by visiting pilgrims to the well and other similar Christian sacred sites. Small offerings are observed left by pilgrims and visitors, for devotion, respect, and prayer. This overlook has a stunning view of Valentia Island from the top of the Coomanaspig along this Seklligs ring road.   Directions: Portmagee along the Ring of Kerry, northwest on the R365, along the Skellig ring road, 4 kilometers on the right. Longitude: 10° 22′ 26″ W, Latitude: 51° 51′ 31″ N.

The inscription at the Base reads: Tobairin, Our Lady of Grace Coomanaspig, During the 1st Mass on Oct 31st 1994, concelebrated by
Fr. P Sugrue P.P & Fr. E. O’Carroll C.C., This grotto was opened & blessed on May 17th 1998 by Bishop of Kerry, Bishop Bill Murphy, concelebrated Mass to 500 people, with Fr. M Hussey P.P. & Fr. John Shanaan P.P. Erected Autumn 1994, thanks to generosity of many people. “May Our Lady bless you in your going, your coming and your staying, May she bless you in your thinking, your doing and your saying, May she bless you in your joys, and bless you when you weep, May she bless you in your waking, and bless you when you sleep
May she keep her arms around you, and fold you to her heart, Till you meet with her and Jesus, where you never more will part, Amen.”

References:

• HMDB.org  n.d.  Tobairin Holy Well. Website referenced 2/15/25 at https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=141169
• Ireland’s Holy Wells  n.d.  Tobairin Holy Well. Website referenced 2/15/25 at https://ihwcbc.omeka.net/exhibits/show/countykerry/countykerry
• Megalithic Ireland  n.d.   Tobairin Holy Well. Website referenced 2/16/25 at https://www.megalithicireland.com/Tobairin%20Holy%20Well%20,%20Coomanaspig,%20Kerry.html

The Fairy-Go-Round Fairy Fort
Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, Ireland
https://www.fairyfortdingle.com/

During my 2023 December trompings around County Kerry on the Dingle Peninsula I pitstopped at this very cool Ring fort, also known as a “Fairy Fort”.  A tourist-attraction with a petting farm, this privately owned attraction is 10 km west of Dingle in the parish of Kilvickadownig. Its along the world famous Slea Head Drive.  This Ring fort, also known as a “Rath”, “Lios”, or “Fairy Fort” is a circular ancient pre-Celtic settlement and fort that is composed of a circular interior enclosed by a earthen bank and foss. There has been determined to be approximately 3-4 huts and souterrain that would have existed here. The bank rises approximately 4.2 meters above the base of the fosse and 2.5 meters above the interior. The entrance faces due East and is 3 meters width. 

Mythologically this is known as a Fairy Fort. The owners have called it the “Fairy Go Round.”   Historically, pre-Celtic forts and settlements were once attributed to be the circular fortified settlements of the pre-Celtic inhabitants of Ireland known as the Tuatha Dé Danann and Fír Bolg even though archaeologically we know they were built by humans during the Bronze age upwards towards 1000 CE.  Ring forts can be found throughout Northern Europe and are particularly abundant in the Isles like Ireland, England, and Scotland. Myth and legends surround these ruins and many superstitious will avoid them, believing them to be faerie domain and portals to the world of the Fae. Farmers who are superstitious will not farm nor develope near them, never altering the remains. Many believe the grounds are imbued with Druid magic. Even the cutting of the whitethorn trees (fairy trees) near them will often be believed to result in instant death upon whomever did the cutting. Others say that entering these fairy forts during the witching hours of 1 am – 5 am woulld never leave the fort alive. 

 This particular ring fort again is on private property shared with the public for a admission fee. In addition for entertainment of children, there is a animal petting farm on site with sheep, goats, lambs, kids, horses, and donkeys.