Knockanare Well is a holy well in Knockanare townland in County Cork, Ireland.[1] It is situated on the left bank of the River Awbeg, about a half-mile east of Buttevant and southeast of the Ballyhoura Mountains.[2]
Folklore attributes special powers to the well, such as that its water will not boil or that two trout appear in it at certain times of the year.[2] Other tales suggest that, following a battle in the area, wounded Irish soldiers were taken to the well and cured instantly. An English general, having previously scoffed at these stories, reportedly took his own wounded son to the well and was subsequently cured.[2] An earlier mythological story also refers to miraculous cures. It recounts how one of Fionn Mac Cumhail's men reputedly 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. However, on the advice of locals, he bathed in Knockanare Well and was cured.[2] [3]