Legend

There are numerous legendary figures through the ages within the O'Catháin Clan, and Myths and Legends that have occurred within O'Catháin's Country. Some of these characters have been documented in historical writings, and others have been passed down through the generations through the oral tradition of storytelling and song. Here are some of them.

Many of the legends of O'Catháin's Country are remembered in place names. The name of the town of Limavady comes from the story of how the faithful hound of an O'Catháin chief leaped a gorge on the River Roe to get help during an unexpected enemy attack. Another version of the tale tells how the chief made the giant leap on horseback to escape pursuers, they being unable to attempt the same feat. A horseshoe shaped print on the rock of the far bank is absolute proof of the story! Perhaps both stories are true.


Dart Mountain in the Sperrins is named after an ancient sun goddess, according to legend when St. Patrick first prayed here the tabernacle of the sun goddess cracked from top to bottom.


Near the source of the Owenreagh River, outside Dungiven is a pool called Lig-na-paistie, were an enormous serpent is said to lie curled up. It used to ravage the adjoining lands until St Murrough prayed to be able to put three bands of rushes on him, and then that these should become bands of iron, thus trapping the serpent forever.


For the Celtic people of Ireland the Bard or Harper was a very important figure. The songs the Harpers sang and the tales they told are an important part of Irish tradition. A small field in Dungiven called Harpers' Walk is the site of a school for Harpers. One of the most famous of the O'Catháin harpers, Toal O'Catháin is said to have composed the well-known ballad "Finvola, The Gem of the Roe". This song tells the story of Finvola, the beautiful daughter of an O'Catháin chief.


A Scottish chief (probably a McDonnell) from the Island of Islay fell in love with her, the O'Catháins agreed to their marriage on the condition that her body be returned to Dungiven on her death. Some years latter the O'Catháin's heard their Banshee, Grainne Roe O'Catháin, a spirit who only cried for the death of an O'Catháin. They deduced that it must be Finvola who had died and when her body was not returned they gathered a large party together and went to Islay. There they found her husband sunk in grief. He told them he could not bring himself to return Finvola's body but now that they had come they might take her. So she was brought back to the Dungiven and the banshee was silent.

There are four buttons to the left, namely: "Finvola - The Gem of the Roe", "Abhartach the Vampire", "Banshee - Grainne Roe" and "Cooey na Gall". Click on any of these buttons to find out about these legendary characters from O'Catháin's Country.