Folklore

Fairy thorn
Superstition dictates that if you cut down a fairy thorn or ferry tree (hawthorn/blackthorn) death is upon you! That is why we see solitary fairy thorns throughout the Sperrins today.


Banshees
The banshee (woman of the ferries) is a female spirit in local folklore who warns by wailing of an impending death in the family. It is said the banshee is pale with fair hair, which she brushes with a silver comb.

Highwaymen
A chapter in WF Marshall’s novel “Planted by a River” describes the activity of highwaymen in Bernish Glen outside Sixmilecross. Many other tales are told of highwaymen who rode the post roads across the Sperrins. The Robbers Table is a hill on the ridge above Gortin where the “Rapparee” met to divide their spoils.