Ogulla Spring

Useful Information

Location:	Near Tulsk. From Dublin N4 to Longford, N5 to Tulsk, turn left on R367 1.3 km to the spring. (53.777429, -8.276881)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Karst Spring
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	David Drew (2008): Hydrogeology of lowland karst in Ireland, February 2008, Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology 41(1):61-72. researchgate DOI
Address:	Ogulla Spring, Ogulla Shrine, Rathcave, Co. Roscommon.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

JUN-2011	drinking water plant at the spring in operation.
2014	severe pollution incident at Ogulla Spring.

Description

Located at a small church named Ogulla Shrine is a karst spring called Ogulla Spring. We guess the spring was the reason for the church and namesake. This is believed by many to be the Cliabach Well where Saint Patrick baptised the pagan princesses Eithna and Fidelma, daughters of Laoghaire, the High King of Ireland. At the spring is a so-called rag tree, a tree where votive offerings are left with requests for cures. To effect a cure it is commonly believed that one must make three visits and leave something. The offerings include rosary beads, hair coils, baby dolls, religious statues, and children’s toys.

The spring is a typical karst spring and thus responds rather fast to heavy rains. Also, it is fed by surface water swallowed in numerous swallow holes, sinking streams, estavelles and thurloughs in the area, and is therefore vulnerable to phosphate and nitrate pollution. The water reappears after only a few days underground almost unchanged. Nevertheless, it is used for drinking water by the Mid-Roscommon Co-Operative Society Limited, a private Group Water Scheme. They built a reservoir and treatment plant at the spring which is in operation since June 2011.