The site caught the attention of antiquarian John O’Donovan during his survey work for the Ordnance Survey of Ireland in the 1830s, and he made particular note of it in his correspondence. O’Donovan believed this well might be the same as the historic Tobar Cobharthach mentioned in older sources, a connection that makes sense given both names reference healing properties.

The well’s significance was further documented by scholar Ó Muirgheasa in 1936, who included it in his comprehensive survey of Irish holy wells. Like many sacred wells across Ireland, Tobar Slan likely served as a focal point for local religious practices and healing rituals throughout the centuries. These wells often attracted pilgrims seeking cures for various ailments, with specific wells gaining reputations for treating particular conditions.

Today, the well stands as a reminder of Ireland’s rich tradition of sacred natural sites, where pre-Christian and Christian beliefs merged to create unique ritual landscapes. While many such wells have fallen into disuse or been forgotten entirely, the fact that Tobar Slan attracted scholarly attention in both the 19th and 20th centuries suggests it maintained its local importance well into the modern period, preserving a thread of continuity with Donegal’s ancient past.