A Tale of Two Tragedies

The Irish name Abhainn Na Marbh means ‘River of the Dead’.

The Battle of Scarrifhollis was fought on June 21, 1650, outside what is now Letterkenny. Irish forces, The Ulster Confederate Army, were led by Éimhear Mac Mathúna (Bishop Heber MacMahon / Emerus Matthaeus) who faced a contingent of Cromwell’s army led by Sir Charles Coote. The Bishop had no military experience, ignored military advice and sent most of his forces into battle armed only with pikes against Coote’s forces armed with muskets. 

A decisive and bloody battle was won by Coote, with over 3,000 Irish killed. For two days, Coote, renowned for his ruthlessness, pursued the retreating Irish who had fled in all directions towards Glenfin, Fintown and Glenswilly. He showed no mercy to the wounded or those he captured. He burnt the small village of Conwal to the ground while chasing the retreating Irish forces. Here at Owennamarve River/Abhainn Na Marbh, Irish soldiers surrendered and were captured. Coote subsequently had them all massacred and their bodies thrown into the river. It was said that the river ran red with their blood. 

Bishop MacMahon escaped, however, and made his way to Enniskillen but was captured and beheaded six months later, with his head being displayed on a pike at Derry’s gates. 

The second tragedy occurred on a dark night, in the late 19th century. A large wedding party consisting of men and women returning to the Doochary area attempted to cross the river. The river at the time was swollen and the party, in their attempts to cross, were all swept away and perished.