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Knockanare is a townland in County Cork, Ireland. It is
the site of a holy well. It is situated on the left bank
of the River Awbeg, about a half-mile east of Buttevant
and southeast of the Ballyhoura Mountains. A Sheela na
Gig (figurative carving) once stood next to the well,
indicative of its importance as a mystical site for many
centuries. The water from this well remains
crystal-clear and sweet.
Folklore attributes various special powers to this well,
such as that its water will not boil or that two trout
appear in it at certain times of the year.
A story regarding this well states that one day, one of
Fionn Mac Cumhail's men strayed from his company and
sought the hospitality of a local chieftain. He fell in
love with the chieftain's daughter and they eloped. The
chieftain's men caught up with them and the man was
mortally wounded. At the advice of locals, he bathed in
the Knockanare Well and was cured.
Another story states that during the wars of rebellion,
Irish wounded in battle were taken to the well and cured
instantly. An English general scoffed at these miracles
until his own son was wounded in battle and subsequently
cured by the well. In celebration, the general
supposedly built golden gates near the well that were
later dismantled and hidden nearby.
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