Coogan's Misfortune

Coogan did not tolerate any mention of fairies as an explanation. It had to be a dog who sneaked into the field at night. Boyle had examined the cattle but they were unmarked and unbitten. One evening, Coogan told Boyle to keep the cattle in the byre all night. They stayed in their stalls, Boyle locked the door and went home. The next morning, Coogan went out to start milking. He was horrified when he discovered each of the cattle hung in a stall. He called his sisters down to witness what they saw. They shuddered at the sight of the dead animals. He locked the door and waited for Boyle and the Gardai to arrive. The death of the cattle was a mystery. Each animal was suspended, the chain in the stall had been wrapped around the animal's neck. Yet the chain would not have been strong enough to hoist an animal from the ground. The Gardai and the vets who came could not understand how the cattle had been lifted.

The news of Coogan's misfortune was already well-known in the Glen and in Ballyseanrath. When neighbours heard about the death of the cattle, they visited him and all advised him the same, that it was the wrath of the fairies.

The tacit acceptance is common in the area, people believe that fairy creatures visit and cause havoc to Coogan. No one knows or can even describe the fairies which are responsible, no one has even claimed to see one, but people are certain that fairies are responsible. Their supernatural power stopped the tractors. They chased and exhausted the cattle. They had the strength and wile to hang the cattle in the byre.

Coogan contacted us late last year and asked if we would consider setting up a camera to watch for the fairies. As Coogan does not openly admit to believing that fairies are disrupting his life, this is a secret watch which no one in the area knows about. We have deliberately omitted any mention of where exactly the fairy tree once stood. The location we have chosen borders Coogan's land and has been associated with fairy legends for hundreds of years.

Visitors are invited to watch between sunrise and sunset on St Patrick's Day. Please log any observations or sightings.

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