Lough Derravaragh
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[edit] Lough Derravaragh
[edit] Geographical Situation
Lough Derravaragh is an Irish lough (lake) in County Westmeath, Republic of Ireland, north of Mullingar between, Castlepollard, Collinstown, Crookedwood and Multyfarnham. Knockeyon 197m high, one of the highest points of Westmeath, dominates the picturesque countryside on its shores to the south-east end of the lake.
Lough Derravaragh sits on the River Inny which flows from Lough Sheelin on its way to the River Shannon. Shaped somewhat like Italy, it is a popular lake for angling and other watersports. The main public area is at Donore near Multyfarnham, where there is a caravan park and shop restaurant open in summer.
[edit] Legend
Lough Derravaragh is best known for its connection with the Irish legend of the Children of Lir (Irish: Oidheadh Chlainne Lir). According to the legend, after being turned into swans, the four children of King Lir spent 300 years on Lough Derravaragh before moving to the straights of Moyle for 300 years, (between Ireland and Scottland), 300 years on the Atlantic by Erris and Innisglory. The enchantment would end, when a woman from the south would mate a man from the north.
To the east, of Lough Derravaragh, within the hills of Ranaghan, are stoneage-period ringforts.
Turgesius the Viking, famous for taking by force Dublin, also possessed strongholds nearby, south west of Lough Lene.
[edit] Historic
Knockeyon or the hill of St Eyon is located on the southern left-hand shore, rising steeply to seven hundred feet.
Situated half way up the slope of the hill, there remains the ruins of an ancient, St Cauragh chapel, built and dedicated to St Eyon. The chapel was cut out of the natural rock, believed to have never possessed a roof. Adjacent to this chapel are the ruins of St Cauragh's Well, it's waters were supposed be miraculous.
From generation to generation, legend tells that St Cauragh was expelled by St Columbcille from the Kells monastery, for breach of discipline. Consequentally, he wandered throughout the countryside until he eventually arrived at Knockeyon. This location, far away from the eyes of the world, saint Cauragh desired to pass the remainder of his life praying to God and fasting. He became seriously ill, at a later stage, and was dieing when he prayed to God for a drop of water to quench his thirst. Having prayed for some time, he became aware by the sound of water trickling out of the rock above his head. He put out his hand and drank freely of this miraculous water. He was as a result cured, and it was successive to this miracle that he built the chapel.
During the middle ages, thousands of people visited this well on the first Sunday of harvest, undertaking the pilgrimage up the hill barefoot, on what became known as Cauragh Sunday . When the pilgrimage concluded, everyone present adjourned to a green area at the foot of the hill where musicians played fleadh ceol and everyone spent the remainder of the day pic-picing, drinking and dancing.
[edit] Rural Communities
Coolure,
Crookedwood,
Gigginstown,
Multyfarnham,
[edit] External Links
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