Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-24
SHAWN. OF THE HAe,s HOLE,
A LEGEND OF IRELAND

ALEGEND OF IRELAND .-...
The period of these recollections was lonQ
antecedent to the invasions of polite society
upon the simple manners and customs of the
west Of ireland. The wild and barren scenery
of that portion Of the county of Glare which
forms barrier against the waves of the At
isntic, seemed to have communicated to the
inhabitants much of its own rough character
Uninitiated In those wiles which attend the
increase of population and knowledge, there
was among them little to disturb the harmony
oftheir local society. Dishonesty was scarcely
known. They were willing to contribute to
the relief of each others wants, and always
resdy to befriend the needy Their habits
were those of plain fishermen. Fearlessly
launching their corraghs, or herse-skin canoes,
when the weather permitted, they obtained a
Frecarious livelihood. Constant association
pices had rendered them daring. Accustomed
to follow the sealinto his hiding places, agility
and strength were cultivated in them. It was
their wont to scale the cliffs in search of the
sea-fowPs nest; and to descend when the re-
tiring sea had left the seal asleep on the benches
OF the cavern; so that through constant inter
course with dangers, they at last became 80
familiarized with peril that they scorned fear.
Their amusements were as simple as their pur-
suits. The country dance on the village green,
the donkey race, or bowling match, constituted
their principal sources of enjoyment.
For a considerable period previous to the
date of this narrative these had been the Gus
tomary habits of the residents of Kilkee. Its
domestic scenery, now so highly priced, was
then but little known; its extensive strand was
more frequently used as a race-course than a
bathing place. Little of its original appear.
~ance can now be traced; the central village
green has been covered with buildings for
summer visitors; the semi circular bay which
taen presented to the eye but heather and
wildness, is now adorned with lodges of eyery
shape and size.
There are few occurrences in human life
which press more heavily on the heart than
the change we sometimes witness in places
which bad been the scenes Of youthful enjoy
ment. We sigh over the simplicity of our for
mer pursuits, and the wreck of the scenes
where they occurred. How yividly do we re-
call the natural wildness Of the scenery of
Shawn Buie's exploits, now for ever defaced,
or the Innocence Of the inhabitants now also
undiscoverable.
Among other evil consequences, at frst, from
Increasing social intercourse, the practice of
smuggling for some time held prominent
place. IL had just been introduced at the De-
riod OF shawn Buie's history. Previous to that
time, the forbidding aspect of the coast kept
vessels Of every description aloof. None zen.
tnred near enough even to reconnoitre; aud
the excise department considered the expense
Of an establishment of police to be an unneces-
sary demand on government funds This was
natural, considering the appearance of the
shore, which for miles together presented an
nnoroken extent OF preeipitous rock elevated
from htty to three hundred feet above the level
of the sea The indentations on its breast, the
csverns and creeks, formed by projecting frag-
ments torn from the parent cliff by some great
conyalsions of Nature, were lost to the eye at
the distance to which vessels ventured to ap-
proashi and, indeed, could they have been
more narrowly inspected, they would not have
furnished q much greater inducement to be.
come better acquainted with them as in al.
most every instance they are quite as inacces-
sible as the perpendicular cliff itself These
excavations from the great body of the land
cause, In many instances, appearances the most
romantic. Their variations are fantastic, pro-
ducing endless alterations in height, depth
width and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the Gu
rious wunderer into situations at enc time per-
fectiy safe of approach, at another dangerous
the extreme.
which lie scattered through the waters Of the
coast, and which bear, deservedly, in many
instances, the name Of islands !" one holds a
prominent rank, both on account Of its size and
history. 1t stands about half mile from the
land, in height about three hundred feet, and
TO all appearance, on every side, quite perpen-
dlcuiar. 1t Is said TO occupy the space of
about one acre. Its surface supplies q few
sheep with psstursge, and the shelter of two
small huts into which they may retire, either
at night or during inclement weather. Ira
dition ssys that 1T was once the abode of q
monk who was condemned to live there as a
penalty for some dresdful crime, of which he
had been falsely accused, and that the rock
was wont TO rise In hight during very stormy
weather, IN order to keep the holy man from
the effects of the dashing sea; and subsde
again as calm approached. That he lived
for upwards of two hundred years and sud-
denly disappeared, leaving no traces of any
remains behind him The name of Bishops
Island has accordingly been attached to it.
Exactly opposite Bishops Island are two
caverns, the entrances 10 which cannot be less
than two hundred feet in height, and fifty in
width. Their depth was never penetrated
Close TO these caverns, at the northern side
there Is steep and dangerous path, which
few venture to descend, leading to a small
nook into which the sea calmly rolls brok en-
In its swell by narrow entrance. This little
nook leads to grotto, worn out of the rock by
the constant action Of the wave, returning
with every tide, which expands, as you ad-
vance, into large roomy place, well adapted
a. sn occasional ssylum for seals or smugyiers
A corragh or small boat could safely unload
her cargo here, and by means Of ropes could
have il conveyed to the summit Of the cliff At
and we'll concealed from abeve. A small rivu-
let flowing from bay three miles distant,
has formed for itself a little channel TO the
edge Of the cliff, just at the spot where the de-
scent Is first commenced; but instead of direct
ing its course along the path, it discharges its
waters directly over the rock, and thus con-
cesls the descent from any but an accustomed
or very close observer.
I was ascending this psth one afternoon in
the autumn Of ISL. The weather had been
for several weeks very warm, and the short
dry grass which lined the edge of the cliffs
had become smooth and slippery. The face Of
the rcck facing Bishops Island contains a
kind Of crumbling slaty soil, which yields un-
q. der the feet, and frequently renders the des-
cent Of such places nything bnt easy and safe.
had taken of my shoes to use my feet ss
hands, and had nearly ascended half way up
this path, lying ss close to the ground as pos
sible, and carefully examining every spot be-
fore trusting my weight to IL; when, on taking
q sudden turn upwards, for the first time I
perceived o man watching me with intense
anxiety. He bad recognized me before had
observed him, and for some reason had re-
mained stationary until reached the spot
where he stood. As / had resided ssme time
in the village. and had been in the constant
habit of ran bling far around the country, felt
rather surprised, and BY no means pleased to