The ancient churches and cells of the saints were generally placed in
the vicinity of a well, which then became sanctified and endowed with
miraculous healing power. Or the well may have been held sacred by the
Druids, and the scene of their pagan rites; therefore selected by the
saint specially as his dwelling-place, so that he might bring it under
the fosterage and holy influence of Christianity.
The grave of the great Fionn was laid by a celebrated well in the
County Cork, and it is certain that a massive human jawbone was found
there not long ago, far exceeding in size the bones of the present race
of men. This jawbone was sent to London to be inspected by the learned
philosophers, but was never returned—a great and grievous wrong to the
renowned Irish chief, for no doubt the mighty Fionn will want it badly
at the last day, when he is gathering up his bones to appear before the
Lord.