Introduction
The legend of the Dobhar-Chú (aka The Dobhar Chu, the dobhar-chú, dobarcu, dobhar-choin, doyarchu, water hound, and master otter), also known as the water hound of Glenade Lough, is a tale of monsters and murder dating back to the early 1700s in the small town of North Leitrim. While no written records of this story exist from the time period, a strong oral tradition has kept the story alive for centuries.
At the center of the legend is the gravestone of Grace McGloighlin, also known locally by her maiden name of Connolly, located in the Congbháil Cemetery in North Leitrim. The gravestone, believed to date back to the period between 1722 and 1760, depicts a strange dog-like creature known as the Dobhar Chu and tells the gruesome tale of Grace’s murder at the hands of the beast.
While the story itself could be dismissed as folklore, the existence of the gravestone adds some credibility to the legend that has been passed down through the ages.
The Legend of the Dobhar Chu
According to the legend, in 1722, Grace McGloighlin was brutally murdered by the Dobhar Chu while washing clothes by the river. Her husband, Terence, discovered her bloody remains with the beast sleeping on her chest.
Terence sought revenge, sneaking up on the Dobhar Chu and stabbing it with a dagger. However, before it died, the creature let out a whistle to call for help, forcing Terence to flee with the beast in pursuit.
Terence was joined by a second man, and realizing they could not shake off the Dobhar Chu, they stopped near some old walls and drew their horses across an open door. The Dobhar Chu rushed under the horses’ legs to attack the men, but as it emerged, one of the men was able to kill it.
The legend of the Dobhar Chu has been recorded by James Roonian and Owen McGowan, both of whom lived in the area in the late 1800s and early 1900s. While the details of the story may vary slightly in different retellings, the central events of Grace’s murder and Terence’s revenge on the monster remain consistent.
The tale of the Dobhar Chu has endured for centuries through the oral tradition of the small town of North Leitrim, and continues to be passed down to this day.
Physical Descriptions of the Dobhar Chu
Described as either an otter-like creature, a dog/fish hybrid, or a serpentine beast, the Dobhar Chu is said to have fur with protective properties and a range of colors including white, brown, and black.
According to legend, the Dobhar Chu resides in lakes but has the ability to walk on land very quickly, even keeping pace with horses. It is said to have been born as the “seventh cub of the common otter” and is known to attack humans for food.
The Gravestone and the Dobhar Chu
The gravestone of Grace McGloighlin, located in the Congbháil Cemetery in North Leitrim, is a key element of the legend of the Dobhar Chu. Made of sandstone, the headstone depicts a strange dog-like creature with otter-like features and unusually large paws. The head and neck are bent backward, with a human hand holding a weapon that has entered the base of the neck.
According to Patrick Tohall, who published a paper on the headstone in 1948, the slab was likely sculpted while the woman’s death was still fresh in memory. Tohall notes that similar tombstones in the cemetery, as well as in the nearby Cill-rúisc cemetery, are characteristic of the period between 1722 and 1760.
Unfortunately, the headstone has suffered significant wear and damage over the years. The bottom corners have broken off, and much of the lettering is no longer legible. Despite this, the image of the Dobhar Chu remains visible, a haunting reminder of the legend that has been passed down through the ages.
The gravestone serves as a possible piece of evidence for the truth of the legend of the Dobhar Chu, adding credibility to the story that has been told for centuries through oral tradition. It stands as a testament to the enduring nature of the tale and the enduring mystery of the water hound of Glenade Lough.
Conclusion
The legend of the Dobhar Chu, or the water hound of Glenade Lough, is a tale of monsters and murder that has been passed down through oral tradition for centuries. At the center of the legend is the gravestone of Grace McGloighlin, located in the Congbháil Cemetery in North Leitrim. The headstone, believed to date back to the period between 1722 and 1760, depicts a strange dog-like creature known as the Dobhar Chu and tells the gruesome tale of Grace’s murder at the hands of the beast.
While the story itself could be dismissed as folklore, the existence of the gravestone adds some credibility to the legend. The headstone, made of sandstone, has suffered significant wear and damage over the years, with the bottom corners broken off and much of the lettering no longer legible. Despite this, the image of the monster remains visible, a haunting reminder of the legend that has been passed down through the ages.
The tale of the Dobhar Chu has endured for centuries through the oral tradition of the small town of North Leitrim, and continues to be passed down to this day. The gravestone serves as a possible piece of evidence for the truth of the legend, adding credibility to the story that has been told for so long. It stands as a testament to the enduring nature of the tale and the enduring mystery of the water hound of Glenade Lough.
Published by