Story of the Enchanted Cow

transcribed at

The Story of the Enchanted Cow  [duchas:4598053]

A long time ago, there was a strange cow seen in Glenade. The story goes that she fed in Crumpawn where the best grazing for miles around is supposed to be. She drank of the water in Loughmarron because it is the purest and best in the Parish, and she slept on the dry hills of Uragh. It was said that this cow could vill any vessel that ever was put under her with milk. One day she arrived at the house of an old woman who had no cows to give her milk. She asked the cow for (sc) some milk and the cow answered that she would give her plenty. She brought out a barrel and the cow filled it. She then brought out every vessel in the house, and the cow filled them also. At last she became so wicked that she brought out

The Story of the Enchanted Cow  [duchas:4598054]

a riddle and as she milked and milked, it flowed in great streams away. The cow seeing that she could not fill the riddle went to a lake near by and drowned herself. When the people found out what had happened this great cow, they went to the house of the old woman, and killed her for being such a wicked old creature. Glasnevin is the name that was given to this cow here. No matter how small or large the pail was she filled it but she never would fill a second at the same time.