Allegorical stories of saints battling with giants, monsters and demons may be interpreted as symbolizing the Christian's fight against paganism. At Bwlch Rhiwfelen (Denbigh) St Collen fought and killed a cannibal giantess, afterwards washing away the blood-stains in a well later known as Ffynnon Gollen. In Ireland, the tales of saints slaying giant serpents may have the same meaning; alternatively they (or some of them) may refer to early sightings of genuine water monsters. St Barry banished a serpent from a mountain into Lough Lagan (Roscommon), and a holy well sprang up where the saint's knee touched the ground. . Colin Bord
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St. Collen is said to have fought and killed a cannibal giantess at Bwlch Rhiwfelen (Denbigh). Bwlch means "gap" or "passage", and rhwfelen means "hermitage". The giantess was the local ruler of the underworld, and was hated by all of the inhabitants.

As such, they were forced to live in constant fear of her. One day, she gathered up her army and attacked the nearby village, raping and killing several of its inhabitants. This enraged St.

Collen greatly, and he slew her - after which her blood began to flow from the ground in a nearby well.

Source: Sacred Waters

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