This is the story of the ‘Ride with the Fairies’ The fairies take great delight in their horsemanship and are splendid riders. Many young men were enticed to ride with them as they dash along like the wind. They are led by Finvarra on his great black horse with flaming red nostrils. Once they have gained the trust of the fairies, they are taken to hunt with them. This is followed by a magnificent supper in the fairy palace. One man who experienced the hospitality of the fairies was John Kirwan of Castlehackett. His story began one evening as he was riding by the fairy hill of Knockma. A strange horseman, mounted on a fiery black steed suddenly appeared. The stranger greeted him and Kirwan responded courteously. They rode on together exchanging conversation. Kirwan was surprised as the stranger seemed to know everything about him and everyone in the district. Kirwan couldn’t remember having ever seen this man before. The strange horseman then said, ‘I know that you are to be at the races tomorrow, so just let me give you a hint; if you wish to be certain of winning, allow me to send you my man to ride your horse. He never failed in a race yet, and he shall be with you early in the morning. They reached a turn on the road and the stranger suddenly disappeared. It was only then that Kirwin realised that the stranger was Finvarra, King of the Fairies.
The following morning as Kirwan was setting out for the races, his groom told him that a jockey was waiting to see him. He was the strangest looking little man that Kirwan had ever seen, but felt compelled to allow him ride the horse. As soon as the race started, the little man was off like a flash of lightning. It seemed like a dream as Kirwan watched his horse gallop faster than ever before and won the race. The top prize, a silver cup, was placed in his hands. People gathered around congratulating him and were eager to know where he had found such a great jockey. He seemed to make the horse fly like a spirit in the wind. By now the jockey had disappeared, but Finvarra was there mounted on his black horse. He invited Kirwan to dine with him, and they rode off together. A short time later they reached a grand, stately-looking house, it was like it was inserted into the hill of Knockma. There, strange small servants waited on the steps, to receive their lord and master and his guest.
One of the servants led Kirwan to a room where he could dress for dinner and there on the bed, he found an expensive violet suit ready for him. He realised he was in the fairy palace of Finvarra. He was a little nervous, but once dressed, he made his way to the dining hall. It was all lit up splendidly, and there were garlands of flowers intertwining around crystal-like columns. The table was set with gold dishes and wine goblets encrusted with jewels. His host acted with perfect grace. Conversation flowed freely, while soft music was heard at intervals from fairy musicians. Kirwan was enchanted by the charm of the scene and was enjoying the bright red wine that his host continually poured out for him.
A great assembly of ladies and gentlemen came into the room and danced to sweet low music. They circled around the guest and tried to draw him into the dance. Looking directly at them, he began to realise they were all dead; these were people he had once known in life. His own brother was among them, he had drowned in a lake a year earlier. He noticed they were all very pale with bright burning eyes. As he looked in wonderment, a beautiful young lady came towards him. She was wearing a necklace of pearls, and she grabbed his wrist and tried to draw him into the circle. ‘Dance with me’, she whispered, ‘dance with me again. Look at me, for you once loved me’. He looked at her and knew that she too was dead. The clasp of her hand around his wrist felt like a ring of fire. He drew back in terror as he recognised her. He had loved her in his youth and given her the necklace. She died before he could make her his bride. His heart sank with fear and dread, and he said to his host, ‘Take me away from this place. I know the dancers; they are all dead. Why have you brought them up from their graves?’ But his host only laughed and said, ‘You must drink more wine to keep up your courage’ and poured more of the bright red liquid into his goblet. He told Kirwan that many people who die young, are not really dead, just gone away with the fairies.
While drinking the wine the crowd and music began fading away before his eyes and he fell into a deep sleep. He awoke in his own home the following morning and his servant told him that a strange horseman had accompanied him to the door late the previous night. He began thinking about his experience, wondering was it real? The fairy king had left him no proof of what happened. However, he could still feel the grip of a woman’s hand around his wrist. Looking at his wrist, he could see the mark of her hand that had seemly burned into his flesh. He realised immediately that the night adventure was no mere dream, but a reality. The mark of the dead woman’s hand would remain with him until death united them. (Another slightly different version of this story features in Willie’s book).
The Fairy Horse
The fairy horse is fast and fiery,
Galloping away upon the wind,
Swiftly moving mane and tail,
Hold those reins so ever tightly,
Or you’ll never race again.Across the moonlit land it chases,
Its eyes are wild with fever glow,
Its nostrils red are frightening,
Charging through the fairy Glenside,
And upon its back ride fairy men.
Galway city and county is rich in folklore and fairy-lore that has evolved over many centuries. Folklore has the ability to bring the past to life and give a valuable insight into the lives and customs of people long ago. It relays stories that entertained past generations when the old storytellers (Seanchaís) enriched their communities by introducing the people to a world where nothing was impossible; in fact, it was a place where everything was probable. Although technology has removed the Seanchaís from a place of honour, storytelling is still a much loved and respected talent in many cultures across the world. William Henry’s book, Away with the Fairies, introduces a host of fairy-lore characters including the Banshee, Cóiste Bodhar, Pooka, Leprechaun, Fairies and more. Of course, Finvarra, being King of the Fairies, features in many stories as he is a very powerful character within the fairy tradition. He resides in his palace under Knockma, which is one of the most magical places in the country. The book is a collection of fifty stories and over 100 illustrations and photographs by local artists. Ireland really is at the heart of a supernatural tradition.
Books can be purchased from:
* Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Middle Street
* Bell Book and Candle, Small Crane
* Kenny’s Bookshop, Liosbán
* Moycullen Bookshop, Moycullen
* From the author William Henry: 086 870 7405.