Tobar Cholmáin takes its inspiration from two sources; the well of St Colman itself, which is located at Croker outside Gort, Co. Galway, and the story of Jesus’ encounter with the Woman of Samaria (John 4:1-42).
The Woman of Samaria, who is never named, meets Jesus at Jacob’s Well. He asks her for a drink, and she marvels at his openness given that his tribe, the Jews, despised her tribe, the Samaritans. Jesus then offers her the gift of faith which is “a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”
St Colman’s Well, and places like it, remind us of our spiritual and religious heritage. They are places where generations of people came to replenish the well of faith within them. The legendary origin of St Colman’s Well goes back to the sixth century when Colman’s mother, Rhinagh, was fleeing her murderous father. She gave birth to Colman nearby. She wanted to baptize her child so he prayed for water. A spring miraculously broke forth from the ground, and Rhinagh baptised her child, Colman MacDuagh, who would later go on to found the Monastery and Diocese of Kilmacduagh. The spring became known as St Colman’s Well and a focal point for popular piety.
The graces we need in life can come from the most unlikely of places. I hope you will find something that nourished your soul in this website.
Martin Whelan