The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0966

Historical Tradition 3

Page 133
'' Maguire's Chair '' is situated about half-a-mile from The School. It is part of a huge sand-stone quarry known as the Black Rocks, and is along the road from Dernacrieve to Glangevlin.
There are many reasons given for calling the Rock '' Maguire's Chair. ''
Some say that many years ago Maguire of Fermanagh declared war on Mac Govern of Ballymagovern and that he and his army rested at Maguire's Chair on there way to Ballymagovern.
Another story says that Maguire was elected chief of the clan here.
Again it is told that a dispute arose in the district and that the parties concerned agreed to meet at the Black Rocks and asked the Chieftain Maguire to come and decide the case. It is said Maguire came
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and sat on the Rock while listening to the account of the dispute. It was then called Maguire's Chair. Another story goes to tell that in Cromwell's time the Planters moved through these mountains which they attempted to cross.
But the Irish attacked them and drove them back after a fierce battle which was fought in the townland now called Legnaderk - lug-na-?eang from the amount of blood spilled.
Some say Maguire came to this battle and stayed over-night at '' Maguire's chair. '' The '' Gaps '' through which the Dernacrieve-Glangevlin Road passes is said to have been made by the magic Cow Gaiblean.
This cow lived in the Glen now called Gleann Gaiblen. She gave milk to all the countryside and filled every vesssel into which she was milked. On one occasion a woman brought a riddle and started to milk the cow into it.
The cow gave her a kick, made a plunge and ran through
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the mountains where she made the '' Gap. '' She was never seen again. The path she came was called '' ? eal ?ealaig '' and is still called by that name. The pass in the mountains is still called the '' Gap. ''
Through the same gap it is said Conall Ceaenac passed when fleeing from Connacht. He was pursued by some of Maeve's soldiers and overtaken and slain at the palace now known as
?éal ?ca Conall. In this district there is a lake known as Brackley lake along the shore of which St. Patrick passed on his way form Co. Fermanagh to '' Mag Slea?? '' when the famous idol Crom Cruac then stood.
Near the same lake there is a Holy Well to which a pilgrimage was formerly made.

No recorder or informant details given
School: Alt an Chuilinn
Location: Altachullion, Co. Cavan
Teacher: Brigid Martin

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Thanks to Bernadette McGovern who transcribed this and a great many other pages of the The Schools' Collection, from the National Folklore Collection Archives.

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