The Chieftain of the Lakes.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 69, 13 August 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Chieftain of the Lakes.

Ireland is a country rich in legends, and one of the best-known is that of the Chieftain O'Donoghue, who once ruled on the shores of lean, now called Killarney. It tells us how at the beginning of May he gathered his people round him and foretold much of the coming history of his beloved land; and at last, after bidding them all farewell, he mounted his charger and advanced to the middle of the lake, walking on the water until ho reached the centre, when the waters separated and he disappeared in their midst.

But to this day O'Donoghue is often seen by some favoured individual upon the anniversary of his departure, an the apparition always brings fortune to the beholders. These favoured ones see, upon a bright May morning, the chieftain. clothed in shining armour, with a blue scarf floating behind him, and mounted upon his favourite white charger, rise from the waters of the lake, and, followed by a number of youths and maidens, proceed towards the narrow cleft which lies between W* Glenaa and Dinis at the end of the lake. Here he gradually fades from view among the hills, to the accompaniment of the sweetest music ever heard. After Irs departure clouds gather for a space, but these gradually melt away and the music very slowly dies into silence. No one who has been allowed to see the vision doubts its reality,-and he/or she is always looked upon with envy by their neighbours, knowing that henceforth everything will go well with persons so favoured.