Saint Fintan's Wells

Long ago, when St. Fintan had his foundation at Clonenagh, there was a fine spring well near to one of the religious houses. This well was always the subject of great veneration among the country people. About one hundred years ago, the then owner of the land was a Protestant. He was annoyed at the number of people who visited this well, and he caused the well to be filled up. St. Fintan then caused the spring to cross the road and rise in the trunk of a sycamore tree. To this day, the water rises in a hollow in the centre of the branches of the tree to a height of about ten feet above the road. Many people climb up to the tree and make a wish with the water, and subsequently tie little bit of rag or ribbon into the branches of the tree.

About four miles away from Clonenagh is the old ruined church of Cromogue. Nearby is St. Fintan's well. The pattern days are the 17th February and the 29th June. In this well there is a trout which belongs to St. Fintan. After you have made your rounds at the well, you drink some of the water, and you should look into the water, and if you see the trout you should get your intention.

Some years ago, there was a woman drawing water from this well, and she took up in the kettle St. Fintan's trout. When she went home she put the kettle to boil, but no matter how hot she made the fire she could not get the kettle to heat. She put a fork to try what was in the water and stuck it into the trout's eye. When she realised that she had the trout in the kettle she went back to the well and emptied the water and the trout back into it. To this day the trout has one blind eye.

It is believed that St. Fintan himself returns to earth every Christmas, and celebrates midnight Mass at the altar of the old church. No one has ever seen the mass, but it has been heard.

It is usual for people who visit the well to take away a pebble from the well. Such pebbles prevent the house where they are from being burnt.