Chapter 4: Eanach Dúin (Annaghdown) to Coill Beag

• Parish of Annaghdown
  
• Disaster of Annaghdown
  
• Monastery and Abbey
  
• Nunnery
  
• Bellhouse
  
• Annaghdown Castle
  
• Craobh Castle
  
• Kilcoona Round Tower
  
• St. Cuana
  
• Cloch-an-Uabhair Castle
  
• Lee's Island
  
• Cnoc Ferry and Coill Beag
  

To the north-west of the village of Corr an Dola in this parish, upon a scarped bare rock, surrounded by a village, stand the ruins of Craobh Castle, originally square, with massive circular towers at the corners, some what like that of Dunmo, upon the left bank of the Boyne; portions of two of these towers still remain, and are well worthy of examination. Many legends attach to this old castle, and many romantic tales of Craoibh Ni Búrca and her husband, George Barry, are still related by the neighbouring peasantry to somewhat the following effect: This chieftainess and her husband not agreeing, she sent him down to his fortress near Castlebar. Now, in the neighbourhood of the castle, in the low, boggy district between it and Eanach Dúin, still exists the enchanted lake, called Loch-a-Fuar, where lamentations are heard in the summer twilight, every seventh year. Out of this lake, one summer's day, a young water-horse-- the Each or Capall-uisge of Irish fairy tales--coming out to disport itself, was captured by the lady's retainers, who carried him off to the castle, where he was shut up in the stable for some time; but no one could be found to ride him. So the lady had to send for her discarded spouse, who was a celebrated equestrian. He came; and some green moss was tied on the eyes of the water-horse, so that he might not see where he was going. Off rode the horseman; and, finding the beast willing and fleet, was unwise enough to take the covering from off its eyes, upon which it dashed forward, and slew the rider, leaving portions of him at different places, and the remainder at Leacht George, referred to at page 20, where his leacht or stone monument was erected that has given name to the locality. It then dashed back to Loch-a-Fuar, and, having plunged into the waves of its native element, has not been seen or heard of since.