Killarney Castle
Here once lived a man called Donal
MacCarthy not only known for his fondness for Women and
Drink but for his fascination for Feathers from Plum Helmets
of the Queens forces.
He was known in England as the "Robin
Hood of Munster"
but locally he was known as "Dan
the Feathers"
Donal was also a religious man as
he proved by building Muckross Abbey. He was also said to
be a strong leader in these troubled times. Years later
an attack from Cromwell's General Ludlow and his troops
burnt Muckross Abbey along with attacking the Castlelough
Castle (on the grounds of the Lake Hotel). I suppose it
was inevitable as he had sent many smaller armies packing
over the years that the "Mother of all armies would
arrive one day" Arrive it did and all the wars with
Cromwell's forces ended on the Lakes of Killarney.
Today some locals still use the expression
"Dan the Feathers" and what it basically means
is your a dangerous or a ruthless man. Donal did indeed
have a dark side, he could be ruthless and tough and fight
like the bravest of warriors if need be. Donal McCarthy
was said to have made a bed with Feathers from the Plum
Helmet worn by her Majesty's soldiers and treasured them
dearly. Rumor has it that the bed was even seen in the Lake
Hotel in the early 1800's (I wonder did Queen Victoria on
her visit sleep on it !!)
So now when anyone asks you who the
hell is "Dan the Feathers"
well now you know.
It has also been said that his Ghost
still travels on the Lake in the darh of night in a boat
and has been seen in the "Devils Punchbowl" bar
at the Lake Hotel from time to time
in the early hours with a pint of the black stuff enjoying
female company
while overlooking what's left of the MacCarthy MÓR
Castle.
He is probably thinking if I were only still King !
After all he was Donal MacCarthy known by many as "The
Last King"
Donal is said to have died quietly and now rests in Muckross
Abbey overlooking the Castle and the Lake Hotel.
And as for us (locals) he will always
be known as "Dan the Feathers"
