The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

COLLEEN BAWN ROCK

THERE IS A SPELL OVER ONE OF THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY. COLLEEN
BAWN (FAIR-HAIRED GIRL) WAS COUNT O'DONOGHUE'S DAUGHTER.
O'DONOGHUE WAS A FIERCE WARRIOR WHO JEALOUSLY DEFENDED KILLARNEY
FROM NEIGHBORING WARRIORS IN CORK. COLLEEN BAWN FELL IN LOVE
WITH A WARRIOR FROM CORK, AND SHE WANTED TO MARRY HIM. O'DONOGHUE
WAS SO FURIOUS THAT HE HAD HIS SOLDIERS TAKE HER OUT ON THE LAKE
TO BE THROWN ON A ROCK SO THAT SHE WOULD DIE OF HUNGER. SHE WAS
HEARD WAILING FOR MILES AROUND. THE PEOPLE COULD SEE HER FROM
THE SHORE, BECAUSE SHE WAS DRESSED IN A LONG WHITE DRESS.
FINALLY, COLLEEN DIED ON THE ROCK, WHICH IS NOW CALLED COLLEEN
BAWN ROCK. TO THIS DAY, IT IS DANGEROUS TO ROW YOUR BOAT AROUND
THE ROCK, BECAUSE COLLEEN'S SPIRIT IS UNDER THE LAKE. THE
CURRENTS ON THE LAKE ARE FROM HER SIGHING. WHEN SHE GETS ANGRY,
IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE OUT ON THE LAKE, YOU CAN GET DROWNED--THIS
HAPPENED TO THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN HER SPELL. ALSO, ON
RAINY NIGHTS WHEN THE FOG HOVERS OVER THE LAKE, COLLEEN BAWN
HAS BEEN SEEN WALKING ON THE WATER, TRYING TO REACH THE SHORE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1970