Land of Legends

Together with Darragh, I'm working to compile some of the history and stories involved in some of the guided trips we run throughout Killarney National Park and the MacGillycuddy Reeks. Here's an initial, rough working draft, which I thought may be of interest.

If you know more to any of these, or know of any other good stories and local history, please leave a comment on the bottom of this blog. I'd love to hear it!

Hag's Glen, tucked under Carrauntoohil, is named after an ancient wise woman, or 'Cailleach', who dwelt here many centuries ago. Hugely respected, in a time of myth and magic, people went to her searching advice and medicines. She lived on an tiny island on Loch Caili, assessable only be boat or underwater stepping stones.

Caher is named after an ancient watch tower which once stood on this mighty peak, during the time of the Fianna. From here warriors could stand guard over West Kerry and see approaching attackers far away. They often kept a goat in the watch tower and if attackers were spotted they would cut the goat's throat and allow the fresh blood to flow down the stream into the village below, quietly warning the villagers and warriors of an approaching attack. Thus the village was prepared with an ambush once the invaders arrived.

The saddle at the top of the Devil's Ladder is know as Christ's Saddle and is thought to be a pagan burial site of an important wise man or chieftain.

In the Gap of Dunloe, less than ten years ago several muskets were found, wrapped in a cloth. These guns dated back to the 1920's and would have been used during the War of Independence or Irish Civil War.

The Gap of Dunloe was a dangerous place for British troops moving through it, often being attacked by local Irish soldiers, who took advantage of the steep, high ground and excellent cover. There's actually a large rock part-way through the valley, called Turnpike Rock, where several British soldiers were ambushed once.

15th century Ross Castle was built by local chieftain O Donoghue Ross, who died in later life after having made a pact with the devil, for everlasting life; which went tragically wrong. He leaped from the upper castle window into the lake to his death and it's told that he walks upon the lake on certain nights still.

Ross Castle was the last, or one of the last, Irish strongholds to fall to the British. It eventually fell in the 16oo's, having been taken from the water. Large, flat bottomed, boats were floated across the lake to underneath the castle. Once the defenders saw these boats and artillery at such close range they surrendered, as ancient legend foresaw.

Innisfallen Abbey was built in the 6th century and was originally used as a leper colony, being one of the last leper sites in Europe. It then became a place of learning, with nobles from all over Europe travelling here to learn. Many of the Irish high kings were also sent here to be educated, including Brian Boru. It's on this little island that the Annals of Innisfallen were written; now kept in a museum in Oxford. Three times the Vikings attacked this abbey, plundering for gold and valuables; each time one of the monks was sent to hide with the valuable belongings in one of the near-by limestone caves.