Folklore
Giants in Love
Giant’s Grave is a breathtaking feature of the Geopark, located in Cavan Burren Park. It is a wedge tomb, on an elevated site. The tomb is thought to have been constructed during the late neolithic, to early bronze age, around 4000 years ago.
Although some locals may tell you differently. Giant’s Grave got its name from an old folklore that tells the tale of two young giants, Lugh and Lag. Lugh and Lag fell in love with the same young female giant, and were forced to go head to head for her affections.
They challenged one another to jump over a wide chasm, but Lag took the challenge a step too far. He decided to jump backwards, and tragically fell to his death in the chasm below. It is said he was buried in the wedge tomb, beside the chasm.
The tale was left incomplete, as we never did find out if Lugh won the female giant’s heart.
The Wrath of the Salmon
Ireland’s longest river, the Shannon, surfaces within the Geopark.
Legend has it that the Shannon can be traced back to the days of the mythical warrior, Fionn MacCool. Síonnan, granddaughter of the Celtic God of the Sea, Lír, visited the Shannon Pot in search of the magnificent Salmon of Knowledge.
However, the salmon was not pleased to meet Síonnan’s acquaintance and, in a fit of rage, caused the pool to overflow—thrusting her deep down to the bottom of the river, where she was never seen again.
The Shannon was then created, and still bears poor Síonnan’s name today.
Ancient People
Glangevlin or Gleann Ghaibhle is often interpreted as the valley with the fork. However, tradition has it that this name derives from a mythical cow that roamed the lands of the Geopark at the time of the mythological tribe, Tuatha Dé Danann.
The cow was said to be enchanted, having endless fertility that allowed for a bountiful supply of milk.
A Horse’s Wisdom
Benaughlin Mountain is a beautiful site within the foothills of Cuilcagh Mountain.
Benaughlin or Binn Eachlabhra as it is known in Irish, translates as “the peak of the speaking horse”. This comes from an old folk tale that tells of a mythical white horse that would appear every Bilberry Sunday to foretell the future.
Bilberry Sunday is a traditional Irish festival, celebrated during the summer months, where people would flock to hillsides, mountain tops and peatlands to pick bilberries—and if they were lucky, find a spouse.
Cursed by a Witch
Big Dog Forest is said to be named after the larger of two hills that decorate the forest’s skyline—“Big Dog” and “Little Dog”.
The hills are named after Irish legend Fionn MacCool’s Irish wolfhounds, Bran and Sceola. Legend has it that this wild pair were once chasing after an ancient witch. However, the witch got the better of the wild dogs and cast a spell, turning them both into stone.
Healing Waters
There are numerous wells and springs within the Geopark that are said to have healing powers.
Drumod Sulphur Spa is known to have healing properties, with people flocking from all over Europe for a taste. People are also drawn to the magic of St Patrick’s Holy Well, just outside the village of Belcoo, which is said to have been blessed by St Patrick himself.
