Name of Pilgrimage Site St Finian’s Well, Foildairrig, Castletownbere
51.66716066433137 -9.913509182090984
Why is this a place of pilgrimage?
This is a double well and is believed that they were first built in the 1500. They had fallen out of local use and knowledge, but were recently restored by a local farmer, along with the path up to it.
Further Information
This is an extract from the Duchas Schools Folklore Collection, 1937
“A mile from Castletown on top of a little hill there is a level tract of land ..In this tract is a holy well. It is customary for people in this parish and in the parish of Eyries to pay rounds at this well every May Eve and May Day. The well is dedicated to St Finnian. Near it are two mounds and it is around these mounds that the rounds are performed. A round consists of walking slowly ten times round each mound and each saying one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Gloria. Then the person takes a drink out of the well, blesses himself and rubs the water to the particular part of the body which is sick. before departing a halfpenny or some little token is thrown into the well. The old people say that the round … is good for curing headaches or any disease of the head.”
Source: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4798739/4794812/5017729 and https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4798739/4794813 pgs 60 & 61 of An Clochar, Baile Caisleán Bhéara
