Daddy O'Dowd

Thady O'Dowd, chieftan of the O'Dowd clan, was walking on the seashore and spotted a beautiful mermaid wearing a cloak which shimmered like the silver scales of a fish. Without her cloak she would remain human and unable to return to the sea. Thady stole her cloak and asked her to marry him.

The mermaid knew he would not return the cloak to her and relinquished. They lived happily for many years and she bore him seven children. One day his eldest child saw the father hiding the cloak and told the mother where it was. While he was away at battle the mermaid/woman took the cloak and her children and went to Scurmore.

Her children tried to stop her returning to the sea but its call was so strong she could not resist. She turned six of the seven into stone and brought the youngest off with her. It is said that every time an O'Dowd dies the rocks here weep.

attribution http://www.enniscroneonline.com/history/rocks.htm