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
In an elevated area. No visible surface remains.
Full archaeological record 141 words
In an elevated area. No visible surface remains. Now dried up. Reference to a sacred tree (LA017-003004-) opposite the well (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 209). Graveyard (LA017-003007-) located to NNW. Clonenagh meaning the Ivy meadow was a monastery founded by St. Fintan around 548 (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 291). His feast day was celebrated on the 17th of February (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 291). According to Comerford the well does not occupy its original site which was in the adjoining field; the owner of this field contrived to divert the spring to the places it occupies at present. An old tree (LA017-003004-), opposite the well, is popularly supposed to be connected with it. In some cavities in the trunk, water is said to be at all times found, in which healing properties are ascribed (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 298).
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Updated 17 December 2007 · Based on the Archaeological Inventory of County Laois. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
Folklore and traditions
In some cavities in the trunk, water is said to be at all times found, in which healing properties are ascribed (Comerford 1886, vol. 3, 298).
More holy wells nearby
Saint Fintan's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Cromoge · Laois · 6.0 km away
St. Canice's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Corraun · Laois · 12 km away
Saint Brigid's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Rosenallis · Laois · 14 km away
St Kieran's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Derryvorrigan · Laois · 15 km away
St Finian's Wells
Ritual site - holy well · Reary More · Laois · 17 km away
Our Lady's Well
Ritual site - holy well · Castlemarket · Kilkenny · 18 km away
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Around St Fintan's Well
Other heritage nearby
- Clonenagh ChurchAncient church · 0.2 km
- Old Saint Peter's Church, PortlaoiseAncient church · 8.5 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 4 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 monastic sitesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 2 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 ringfortArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Monicknew - Yellow WalkWalking Trail · 2.9 km · nearest point 8.6 km
- Monicknew - White WalkWalking Trail · 4.8 km · nearest point 8.7 km
- Slieve Bloom WayLong Distance Waymarked Way · 73.7 km · nearest point 9.1 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
Other attractions nearby
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What's on nearby
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Excavations nearby
- E2281 Trumra 4, County LaoisRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 1.9 km
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