How Leacht George or Loughgeorge, Co. Galway got its name.

Creevy-Ni Bourke and her husband George Barry.

This chieftainess Creevy Ni Bourke and her husband George Barry were not agreeing, so she sent him down to his fortress near Castlebar. In the neighbourhood of Creevycastle in the low boggy district near Annaghdown, still exists this enchanted lake, called Lough-a-Foor, where lamentations are heard in the summer twilight every seventh year.

Out of this lake, one summers day, a young water horse - the Each or Coppul- Uisce of Irish Fairytales - 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 horse willing and fleet, was unwise enough to take the moss covering from his eyes, upon which it dashed forward and slew the rider, leaving portions of him at different places and the remainder at Leacht George - where a leacht or stone monument was erected that had given name to the locality. It then dashed back to Loch-a-Foor, and, having plunged into the waves of its native element, has not been seen or heard of since.

Ø     Castlebar, (Castle Barry) Co. Mayo is called after this George Barry.

Ø     This tale is recalled in Wilde’s Lough Corrib and in the School’s Folklore Collection 1938. It is still recalled in the folklore in the Claregalway/ Loughgeorge area, Co. Galway but not in Mayo.

Submitted by Brían Hoban, ©

Local Historian and Fáilte Approved Tour Guide

A Guided Historical Walking Tour of Castlebar by Brian Hoban, Local Hiistorian & Bord Failte Approved Tour Guide, will be held each Tuesday and Thursday during the months of July and August. The tours will commence each evening at 7 p.m from The Imperial Hotel, The Mall, Castlebar. Group tours may be arranged at other times by appointment. For details phone Brian at 094 9021738