Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeRitual site - holy well
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Can you visit?
- No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
- Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
History and description
The people of this parish used annually to assemble on the 12th December at St. Finian's Well, to celebrate the festival of their patron saint. The well consists of three apertures in the solid rock, and these are always full of water.
Full archaeological record 105 words
The people of this parish used annually to assemble on the 12th December at St. Finian's Well, to celebrate the festival of their patron saint. The well consists of three apertures in the solid rock, and these are always full of water. It is surmounted by old hawthorns, and these are preserved by the people with great veneration. In the beginning of the last century, it was customary for pilgrims to go round the well on their bare knees, by way of penance and mortification (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 307). Old oak tree marks site of well that was filled in years ago.
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Caimin O'Brien · Updated 17 December 2007. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
More holy wells nearby
Saint Brigid's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Rosenallis · Laois · 5.0 km away
St Manman's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Kilmanman · Laois · 5.1 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Rathlihen · Offaly · 12 km away
Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Toberleheen · Offaly · 14 km away
Saint Anthony's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Killina · Offaly · 14 km away
St Fintan's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Clonenagh · Laois · 17 km away
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Around St Finian's Wells
Other heritage nearby
- Rosenallis Round TowerRound tower · 5.1 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 4 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 holy wellArchaeological Survey of Ireland
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