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Ritual site - holy well

St Fintan's Well

Former holy well in Churchlands, County Wexford, Ireland.

  • AccessNot confirmed
  • National MonumentNot recorded
  • DateNot stated
  • Folklore1 quote
  • PhotoWanted
Churchlands, Co. Wexford52.24659, -6.51386
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Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer

At a glance

  • TypeRitual site - holy well
  • Condition (as surveyed)Gone: no visible trace

What to look for

  • Pattern day

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
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History and description

Located in the valley of a small NNW-SSE stream, which is c. 10m to the W. It is marked on the 1839 and 1940 eds of the OS 6-inch map and described in gothic lettering on both as St. Fintan’s Well, and as ‘Site of’ on the later map. According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on the 17th February.

Full archaeological record 173 words

Located in the valley of a small NNW-SSE stream, which is c. 10m to the W. It is marked on the 1839 and 1940 eds of the OS 6-inch map and described in gothic lettering on both as St. Fintan’s Well, and as ‘Site of’ on the later map. According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on the 17th February. From the date of the pattern it can be concluded that St. Fiontan of Clonenagh, Co. Laois (LA017-003001-) was the patron. St. Fiontan was of the Ceinéal Eachdhach, or the Fothairt of north Leinster, from whose Wexford branch Forth barony is named, and he was related to St. Bridget of Kildare. He was closely connected with St. Colum of Terryglass, and died in 603. His Life is thought to be early in date, but his geographical connections correspond closely with those of the Augustinian canons, suggesting a later date (Ó Riain 2011, 339-41). There is no evidence of a well. Mayglass church (WX047-015001-) is c. 130m to the N.

Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Michael Moore · Updated 14 October, 2013. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.

Folklore and traditions

According to John O’Donovan writing c. 1840 the pattern was held on the 17th February.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact

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      Around St Fintan's Well

      Other heritage nearby

      Recorded within 5 km

      Walks and trails

      • Wexford Cycle Hub Loop 3Road Cycling Trail · 77.3 km · nearest point 3.2 km
      • Wexford Section of Eurovelo 1Road Cycling Trail · nearest point 4.6 km
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      • WexfordWalled towns · 11 km

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