Cnoc Ruadh - The hill of blood or red hill

In 1798, sometime after the French landed in Ireland, and after the Castlebar races, there was one of the French officers who had got separated from his Battalion. He was seen riding in the vicinity of Cnoc Ruadh about a quarter of a mile from Charlestown. He was killed that night and robbed and buried in the river a few yards from Charlestown.

His clothes were dyed and worn by his assassins. His remains were then lifted, and he was buried in a place cnoc-a-togha. Recently some bones were found, probably his remains.

Written in 1938 by Kathleen Doherty, Lowpark, Charlestown and John Harrington, Bracklagh.

© Delia Henry 2002 Cathal Henry