LEGEND 1

When Brian Boru was encamped in Ceann Coradh (Kincora), the King of Leinster, Maelmordha came to visit him at his residence to offer him a tribute of timber masts. Unfortunately a dispute arose between Brian's sons which involved a game of Chess.

Murrough said something that insulted him and he left Kincora immediately. Brian sent a steward, Cogaran after him. The Steward caught up with the King at the Eastern side of the plank bridge at Cill Daluadh to offer Maelmordha gifts in reparation. However the King struck him three times with a Yew stick and smashed his skull. Cogaran did however survive and Ballycuggaran near Scarriff, Co Clare is named after him.

Brian and his men followed on and caught up with the King of Leinster at a hill near Loughtea outside Portroe. There, a great many of the Leinstermen were slain and buried where they fell. Henceforth the place was known as the Graves of the Leinstermen. Some distance from there (700 m), there a large rock known as Cnoc Re Leighainn (Capstone of the King of Leinster) which is the reputed burial site of Maolmordha.

In another version, Brian Boru's daughter was betrothed to the Maolmordha, King of Leinster but the conniving of her mother Gormlaith brought about the slaying of the Leinstermen. Maolmordha was badly wounded so he was brought to the height from where he could see Leinster and so he died. This then became the Kings Capstone.

LEGEND 2

There was once a man called Bioth who lived before the time of the Flood. He had a daughter named Caesair. Bioth asked Noe if he and his daughter could have a place on the Ark he was building but Noe refused. Caesair and Bioth abandoned Noe’s god and consulted an idol who advised them to build a ship and put to sea. This they did accompanied also with Fionntain, Ladhra, Barann and Balbha together with 50 maidens.

After sailing for 7 years they landed in Kerry 40 days before the Flood. They were the first inhabitants of the island of Eire. Ladhra died soon after, being the first person to die in Ireland. The company divided the land between themselves. Fionntain first went to the Boyne with Caesair but left her there returning himself to Tountinna. She later died of a broken heart in Roscommon. Fionntain acquired Tuiltinne in Duthaidh Aradh near to Lough Deirgderic (Tountinna in the Arra District near Lough Derg). He would later bury himself for 5000 years and wake up to recount his tale to a monk who would later baptise him. Fionntain's tale was written down in Leabhair Gabhala Eireann (The Book of Invasions).

LEGEND 3

Fionntain the Ancient, travelled to Tountinna where he buried himself underneath the earth for 200 years in a place called Fionntains Cave. He chose Tountinna because it's the highest peak in the Arra Mountains. Tountinna was also referred to as the Hill of the Wave because it survived the Flood. 

Fionntain had the ability to shape-shift and by so doing managed to survive by changing into a Salmon. Thus he became the only man outside of the Ark who survived the Flood. He is often confused with the similarily named Salmon of Knowledge. Fionntain met with and imparted all his wisdom to Fionn MacCumhaill hence the confusion. He survived down the years until he met a monk who would later bring him to Christianity. Fionntain related all the history of Ireland he had seen and heard to the monk who recorded it in the Leabhair Gabhala Eireann.

A photographers paradise - some random shots in and around Tountinna

Tountinna Stone Circle

A page from the sketchbook of reknowned antiquarian Thomas Johnson Westropp in which he records the Graves of the Leinstermen as they were in July 1906. It's worth noting that Westropp was a frequent visitor as his uncle, a Gillie, lived at nearby Derrycastle. 

Book of Survey & Re-distribution 1641 - with the new and previous owners of Townlands

Interesting will whereby  James Franck Rolleston wills his lands to his two sons Charles and Rev. Arthur Rolleston. However he adds a proviso that if Arthur rents the lands of Tomlough and Loughtea to a Mr McCartney then the rent should go to Charles. (05/02/1796) (Register of Deeds 1803)