‘There have been at least three incidents like this’ at Holy Well
“The damage has been done to things that you can’t replace; they are there for years and years. You can’t put them back together again; it is just not feasible.”
Having had time to reflect on the damage and the fact that this is the third serious attack on the Tobernalt Holy Well in recent times, Fr Murray revealed to the Sligo Weekender that a decision has now been made to install CCTV in the grounds of the well.
“Earlier this week I and others were making our minds up about going this route. I am doing so with some reluctance, but I feel we have no choice now, sadly but out of necessity, we will be installing CCTV cameras as I don’t think the person or persons doing this will stop.”
Fr Murray confirmed also that having been made aware of the damage caused he had notified the gardaí who spent much of Monday last at the well.
“We have notified the gardaí. All I would ask is that people be vigilant.
“Countless people visit the Holy Well. Please be vigilant.
“If you see suspicious behaviour of any kind, please report it, either to me at the presbytery or to the gardaí.”
Fr Murray added: In all the years I have been working in Carraroe, I have never seen anything so vicious.
“The problem is that there is no guarantee this has stopped. This is ongoing, it’s not just in the last week. There have been at least three incidents like this.
“This person hasn’t been caught [doing the damage] and hasn’t stopped.”
He told the Sligo Weekender there have been at least three incidents at this stage: “We have repaired some of the donation boxes, they have been vandalised again with an angle-grinder.
“It’s beyond showing disrespect for an historical site. The Holy Well is open to all visitors, those of faith and no faith.
“It is a place that is kept very beautiful by a small number of people.”
Fr Murray’s frustration was palpable as the last few weeks have been trying, particularly the damage caused by Storm Isha.
“We have just survived a major storm [Isha]. We had a large tree down at the Holy Well, we had a lot of branches down, we had some other smaller trees down, we were repairing all of that damage, we were busy putting the place back to the way it was, for visitors to come to it and now we are facing into this, which I find deeply saddening.
“I find it especially deeply saddening and deeply upsetting for someone to come in, obviously after hours, or when people are not there, and cause this kind of ruthless damage to the Well.”
Although CCTV cameras are now inevitable, he still feels it is important that people know the Well will always be open to visitors of faith and those of none: “The Holy Well is always open to all visitors at all times. Great consolation comes from the feedback from people, not only people native to Sligo, but from people beyond, who travel from outside Ireland to visit it and who put their feedback up online making comments about how beautiful it is.
“Nobody wants to restrict admission or access to the place.”
Asked how he felt about the person or persons who carried out the vandalism, he said “here’s no point” appealing to the good nature of this person or persons, it’s just wanton vandalism, no other word for it.”
Tobernalt Holy Well is a place of reflection and nurturing serenity. It predates the advent of Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. Its importance as a meeting place and a sustainer of life predates our Celtic ancestors.
At this time, the pilgrim at Tobernalt shares in the inherited ancestral tradition coming from earliest times, which was christianised by St. Patrick and held steadfastly by faithful generations ever since. The challenge posed by Tobernalt is to ensure that the tradition will continue to enrich the generations not yet born.