Hello one and all!
Today I will be discussing a tale dealing with a merrow (alternatively known as Moruadh or Murrúghach). These are the mermaid or mermen of Irish folklore, but they are different in some serious aspects. The tale, Marina the Merrow, will illustrate this.
Marina the Merrow
Once upon a time Luty, a young man from the coast of Kerry, came upon a beautiful woman stranded on the beach. There was one particular feature of her that stood out-she had a fish tail. Luty resolved to help the merrow. He asked her name, which he found out was Marina, and asked if she needed help. When she answered in the affirmative, he picked her up and walked into the water. He went in until it was waist deep, then he let go.
Marina was so grateful for his help that she took the young man's face in her hands, then told him that she would grant him three wishes. Luty stood there and thought about it for a couple of minutes. This wasn't something to take lightly! He then made up his mind. Firstly, he wanted the ability to break witchcraft. Secondly, he wanted to force spirits to do good things. Thirdly, he wanted these powers to be passed down through the generations in his family.
Marina was impressed by the selfless wishes, and so granted his family prosperity as a bonus. The young man was thrilled, and took the merrow's and shook it and bid her farewell. Luty turned to go but the merrow would not let go. Marina had realised at that moment that she may never meet another man with such a beautiful soul. She wanted him.
The merrow started to utter an enchantment to seduce him, so that he would go with her and be her lover. Luty was quick though, and realised what was happening, so he drew his iron knife. Marina was shocked, iron was the one thing that could hurt the faerie folk, and she released the young man's hand and dove beneath the waves.
Just before she disappeared out of sight she said, "I will return in nine years to claim you."
Luty continued to live his life, married a beautiful human woman, had two kids and soon forgot about the promise. Exactly nine years later Luty fished with one of his sons on the rocks off the beach. Marina's head popped up above the waves, and before he had time to react, she enchanted him. Luty lost all power to resist and dove into the water. He was never seen again.
Today I will be discussing a tale dealing with a merrow (alternatively known as Moruadh or Murrúghach). These are the mermaid or mermen of Irish folklore, but they are different in some serious aspects. The tale, Marina the Merrow, will illustrate this.
Marina the Merrow
Once upon a time Luty, a young man from the coast of Kerry, came upon a beautiful woman stranded on the beach. There was one particular feature of her that stood out-she had a fish tail. Luty resolved to help the merrow. He asked her name, which he found out was Marina, and asked if she needed help. When she answered in the affirmative, he picked her up and walked into the water. He went in until it was waist deep, then he let go.
Marina was so grateful for his help that she took the young man's face in her hands, then told him that she would grant him three wishes. Luty stood there and thought about it for a couple of minutes. This wasn't something to take lightly! He then made up his mind. Firstly, he wanted the ability to break witchcraft. Secondly, he wanted to force spirits to do good things. Thirdly, he wanted these powers to be passed down through the generations in his family.
Marina was impressed by the selfless wishes, and so granted his family prosperity as a bonus. The young man was thrilled, and took the merrow's and shook it and bid her farewell. Luty turned to go but the merrow would not let go. Marina had realised at that moment that she may never meet another man with such a beautiful soul. She wanted him.
The merrow started to utter an enchantment to seduce him, so that he would go with her and be her lover. Luty was quick though, and realised what was happening, so he drew his iron knife. Marina was shocked, iron was the one thing that could hurt the faerie folk, and she released the young man's hand and dove beneath the waves.
Just before she disappeared out of sight she said, "I will return in nine years to claim you."
Luty continued to live his life, married a beautiful human woman, had two kids and soon forgot about the promise. Exactly nine years later Luty fished with one of his sons on the rocks off the beach. Marina's head popped up above the waves, and before he had time to react, she enchanted him. Luty lost all power to resist and dove into the water. He was never seen again.
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