What is recorded here

An unlocated holly tree in County Laois, Ireland, stands beside the Fifteen Acres near Ballyfin. Local story holds St. Fintan struck his peeled holly stick into the ground after being annoyed by a curious watcher, and the stick grew into the big holly tree still standing there. The tale gives the bush its ritual identity and makes the ordinary field edge sound like a place where impatience was answered with sudden life.

Unlocated holy bush within townland described by Helen Roe in an article entitled 'Tales of St. Fintan of Clonenagh' in the Journal of the Folklore of Ireland Society. The story goes that when St. Fintan was building the monastery at Clonenagh, he used to draw sand from the gravel ridge called The Downs near Portlaoighse. No one ever saw his journeys back and forward, and for a long time the people could not account for where and how the sand was got. At last one curious man set out to watch, and after several days and nights, he saw in the grey of the morning the saint coming with a load, leading his grey horse, which he was guiding with a peeled holly stick. He spoke to the saint who was so much annoyed that he turned the 'Fifteen Acres' near Ballyfin, and stcuk his holly stick into the ground beside it. The holly stick grew into the big holly tree which is in it now. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 December 2007

St. Fintan of Clonenagh is traditionally associated with the site, where it is said he performed miracles while establishing a monastic settlement. Local tradition holds that a holy bush or tree marked the location of his spiritual activities, believed to possess healing properties.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.