Galboly Village, County Antrim
Slemish Mountain, County Antrim
Born at the foot of Slemish Mountain and reared by parents on a small holding, belonging to the wealthy O'Hara family, the O'Haughan's had a harsh and unruly upbringing. Living as they did in the exposed moorlands, and in poor circumstances, their Mother knew one thing was for sure. Her four sons had to be fit and athletic if they were going to live long. She would make sure that her sons were strong and she encouraged them to jump over hay stacks, and run faster than anyone else, wherever they went. The small holding, on which they lived, belonged to the local Squire and landlord O'Hara.
The O'Hara's owned large amounts of land in the area at this time. But this was a troubled and difficult part of Ireland, in the late 17th and 18th Centuries, and not everyone enjoyed the lifestyle of the O'Hara's. Ordnance Survey memoirs of 1832 tell us that the local population wasn't always that civilised, so when the bailiffs came to evict the O'Haughan's from their home, it was no surprise that trouble broke out.
Whilst watching their Mother and Father being evicted, one of the four O'Haughan brothers struck out and murdered a rather unfortunate bailiff. This tragic event meant only one thing - the O'Haughan's four boys would have to go on the run, becoming wild and unruly outlaws. From this day forth Nessy O'Haughan became known as a Robin Hood type, often robbing from those who belonged to wealthy families, and giving to the poor.
One such story tells us of Nessy going to a tenant farm to rob an elderly and infirm husband and wife. Terrified to see the O'Haughan boy at their door, they explained they had no money, and were already scared to death that the rent man was due to collect the rent, that they just had no way of paying.
Nessy understood this predicament only too well, and left the elderly couple, doing them no harm. But as he left their home he met the rent man, coming to collect his dues. Nessy quickly moved into action robbing the rent man of all his money and belongings. And not being one to miss a trick, he called back to the elderly couple, giving them the money that they would need, to pay the rent man - the next time he came calling!
But all did not go well for all of the O'Haughan brother's. Legend tells us that the youngest, and adopted son, was hanged at Gallows Green in nearby Carrickfergus. And his crime was? - To be spotted wearing the coat that he had stolen in the town that very same day!
Of course these vagabonds would always have a price on their own heads, and informers could often come from the most unlikely of sources. Certainly Shane Og, the eldest O'Haughan brother would have regretted the bitter row with his brother in law, James McKinstry, if he had known the consequences.
James, angry about the row, took the opportunity of informing on Shane Og's whereabouts to the Authorities, and earning the then not-to-be-sneezed-at sum of £10.00! And so, Shane Og joined his brother at the gallows in Carrickfergus.
But how was Nessy fairing at this time? Often on the run from the authorities, Nessy's life got more and more difficult. One of his last encounters took place close to a wide and deep stretch of the River Lagan. As the Redcoats hunted down their prey, they saw their opportunity to at last capture the wildest of the O'Haughan brothers. Nessy weighed up how he was going to escape, as the soldiers fast approached. Remembering his training as a young boy, he ran and leapt over the river to the utter astonishment of the soldiers and made good his escape! It was some time before Nessy appeared again as he had decided to take off to England, and he too joined the Military.
Some time after he arrived in England Nessy watched the soldiers laying bets on who could jump over 2 horses in one leap! Not an uncommon game played by the soldiers to pass the time! Tired with this game, one of the soldiers decided to raise the bar, and lined up not 2, but 3 horses to jump over! The surrounding crowd grew quickly as this had never been done before. Nessy saw this as a chance to earn some much needed money and put his name forward, - before jumping quickly over the 3 horses - with the greatest of ease! But as he gathered his winnings from the astonished spectators, there was a shout from the crowd -"arrest that man". The Officer, issuing the command, had only ever seen one person jump like that, and he was an Irishman at the banks of the River Lagan! And so Nessy's game was up. The skills his poor Mother was sure would be his lifeline in times of trouble, had in fact been his downfall, and brought about his early demise!
The Podreen Mare
During the 18th Century the racecourse at Broughshane was frequented by horse lovers, from all over the country, eager to cheer on their charges and hopefully win their bets. The racecourse at this time was on a level field close to the village of Broughshane and the course was just a little more than one full mile, all the way round.
In the 1760's the local landlord of the Broughshane Estate, Charles O'Neill, acquired a rather highly spirited mare, which he decided to name the Broughshane Swallow.
Great excitment gripped the area when news quickly spread about the newly acquired mare.
When the time came and Broughshane Swallow was matched with another strong contender, many guinea wagers were laid down by the local racegoers.
Hopeful spectators flocked from far and wide to watch the eagerly awaited spectacle.
But shortly before the race an old woman handed Charles O'Neill a string of Rosary beads. As she gave O'Neill the beads she told him that his horse was sure to win. But only on one condition. The mare would win every time she ran a race - but only if she was wearing the string of rosary beads around her neck.
Now O'Neill was not a very religious man, and the old woman had quickly disappeared into the excited crowds, but he was so eager that the Broughshane Swallow would win every race, he duly placed the beads around the horses neck! And when it was time for the mare to run she easily beat the other horse, and of course Charles was thrilled. He carefully put the beads in his pocket and off he went to celebrate.
But stories like these are hard to keep secret so it wasn't long before new contenders were brought to the area to race against the famous Podhreen Mare! Crowds flooded into the racecourse and many wagers were placed on O' Neill's sure fire bet!
But make no mistake the Podreen mare was no ordinary horse. The race began and all the horses raced their very best but it was the Podhreen Mare who crossed the line well ahead of all her contenders. The crowd went mad throwing their hats in the air and cheering loudly. O'Neill was over joyed with pride and excitement!
But then tragedy struck. The mare started to falter and with a final whinny she staggered and fell to the ground. The Podreen mare had died in front of the adoring punters. O'Neill could not be consoled. There before him lay his pride and joy, after running her heart out to please the assembled crowds.
But worse was to come when shortly after the race O'Neill too died - of a broken heart. And what became of the winning beads - well they were never found again.
Madman's Window, Glenarm, County Antrim
About a mile from Glenarm on the Coast Road to Ballygally, is a large rock with an opening at the top, referred to as the madman's window. The name goes back nearly two centuries to the time when a young girl was drowned in Glenarm Bay. Her sweetheart was so deeply moved by her death that he lost his sanity and each day he would sit at the rock, gazing at the window waiting for his girlfriend to return.