Summary
The ruin of Ferriter's castle, which we admired to-day, from its wild and picturesque situation, has many wonderful stories attached to it. One of these tales is also connected with Sybil Head, the fine promontory which overlooks Ferriter's castle. This story interested us so much, that I will endeavour to give it, as nearly as possible, in the words of the narrater, though I cannot of course be answerable for its historical accuracy.
Prince Ferriter, a remote ancestor of the Ferriter family, was a valiant and accomplished knight, of the olden time. In those days, there lived on the coast of Galway a celebrated chieftain, named Eoderick Lynch, whose only child was a daughter of surpassing loveliness. The charms of Sybilla Lynch were sung by the bards, lauded by poets, and contended for by the most valiant chieftains of the time. The fame of her beauty reached even this remote promontory, now called by her name. Prince Ferriter was determined to see if the report of the young Sybilla's loveliness, and wonderful talents, was true. At the head of a noble band of retainers, all attired in the splendid flowing robes of the day, with collars of gold, and broaches of precious stones, the handsome young Prince proceeded to Galway.
They arrived at the castle of Roderick Lynch, just as a magnificent tournament was in progress. At the very moment Prince Ferriter entered the court, two combatants were engaged in mortal conflict; and the eyes of the fair Sybilla, who leaned over the balcony above, were fixed on them with an expression of the utmost horror and anxiety.
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- Rambles in the South of Ireland during the Year 1838 , pp. 192 - 213Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010First published in: 1839