This story is a well-known legend from the south of Ireland and it definitely sends a shiver down the Spines of all of the locals.
At the time of this story (19th century), Britain was in the middle of its 300 year reign on Ireland. The Irish language and religion (Catholicism) were Outlawed. However, many still practiced Irish customs In secret, although anyone caught doing this would be Dealt with harshly.
There was an English captain named Captain Fox based Locally who was notoriously violent. One day, he Heard from a source that a secret mass was taking Place in the old Catholic Church nearby. He raced off On horseback to investigate. He arrived at the church In question and upon discovering that the rumor was, Indeed, true, he was overcome with rage. As the priest Served communion, Fox ran up to the altar and cut both Of the priest's hands off and then beheaded him. He Also injured many members of the congregation. Still furious, he got back on his horse and rode away At great speed to inform his fellow soldiers. On his Way he had to go down an extremely steep hill. However, his horse could not handle the gradient at The speed he was traveling and he slipped, sending Fox to his death as he hurtled down to the bridge at The end of the hill.
The army swiftly dealt with his burial, as they did not want the story of Fox's actions to spread. So, he was laid to rest in a nearby Catholic cemetery. Or so they thought...
Before sunrise, the next morning, a local farming family were at the breakfast table, when they heard the eldest son shouts out to them from the front door. They rushed to him and he told them that on his way back from the fields he saw something he could not explain. He pointed towards the river and to their amazement, they saw a collection of headstones floating in the air above the river. They could not believe their eyes. They remained transfixed as the headstones kept traveling down the valley. All of a sudden, a single headstone dropped out of the sky into the woods. The remaining headstones traveled up the hill and settled next to the church where the massacre had taken place.
Today, the bridge where the captain met his death is named 'Fox's Bridge'. The cemetery still rests at the same place, while a single unmarked headstone lies in what is left of those woods...
By Aisling
