What is recorded here

Crannahulla marks the roadside loss of a stunted ash born from the eye of Brigid, who blinded herself rather than surrender to Cranat. The tree has fallen, but the wound remains visible in the story: love met refusal, violence met witness, and the landscape turned that collision into wood and shadow. People still point to the place because the legend does not ask permission to be believed. It waits for memory to keep doing what the tree can no longer do.

Roadside. Local knowledge of tree remains strong though it was felled some years ago. Described by Byrne (1896, 60) as a 'stunted ash growing on poor soil and in a lofty bleak situation'. According to legend (ibid.), associated with St Cranat whose beauty was renowned but who had vowed a religious vocation to Brigid. The young prince of Munster fell in love with her but she refused his advances. His friends captured her but rather than surrender, she disfigured herself by pulling out one of her eyes and where it fell sprung up the ash tree. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Linked to Saint Killian (Cillian), the well or site is associated with cures for skin ailments and protection from evil spirits. Local folklore suggests that the stunted ash tree, once standing at the site, was believed to be a sacred guardian, and its felling was thought to bring misfortune to the area.

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