Of Myth and Legend—Tricia McGill

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Many well-known legends throughout history have been well documented. One thing I enjoy about researching at the start of a new book is finding facts about certain obscure characters throughout history that I haven’t come across before. Doesn’t mean that they are not just as famous. My next task when starting a new story, after deciding on the setting, is to find names for my protagonists. Once I have that clear in my head, I can more easily build their individual character traits (this part I love, so therefore spend a lot of time on). 

I wanted my convict hero to be of Irish descent, and so found the name of Finn easily enough. What I didn’t know was that this name was derived from an Irish legend known as the Fionn (or Fenian) Cycle. This original Finn was the son of one Cumhail who led a band of warriors who were chosen for their bravery and strength. They took an oath to fight for the king and defend Ireland from attack. When younger Finn took over leadership of the Fianna he was known as the greatest warrior of all. What a wonderful story for my character Finn to relate when explaining where his unusual name came from. Actually, Finn does not know if this is true of course, and who knows he might have made that name up for himself knowing it might make him appear braver.

As my story is set in Australia (Tasmania to be exact), it seemed right to be researching the county’s legends more thoroughly. Everyone more or less has heard of Ned Kelly (certainly all Aussies know his saga well) but there are many other bushrangers and criminals who are just as famous here. I came across some previously unknown to me colourful facts about a bushranger named Martin Cash (1808-1877). Also born in Ireland (County Wexford) Cash was convicted in 1827 of housebreaking and was eventually transported to Sydney to serve his seven years, as many others were in those days. Cash’s story was that in a fit of jealousy he shot at a man who was embracing his (Cash’s) mistress. He claimed the ball wounded his rival in the backside.

Assigned to a George Bowman, Cash continued to work for him after receiving his ticket-of-leave. Once able to go wherever he wished he left for Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) along with one Bessie Clifford. Two years later he was accused of larceny and again sentenced to seven years (Some people never learn that crime does not pay!). He escaped three times, at one stage evading capture for almost two years. He was returned to Port Arthur, Tas (where my story is set) with another four years added to his sentence. He soon eluded two guards with the help of two bushmen, Kavenagh and Jones, and the three began their bushranging career, robbing inns and the homes of well-to-do settlers. They used no unnecessary violence and thus earned the title of ‘gentlemen bushrangers’. 

Cash heard that his love Bessie had deserted him for another man so risked a visit to Hobart Town, where he was once again tried for killing a pursuer. A former attorney-general, Edward Macdowell was secured for his defense but Cash nevertheless was sentenced to death. At the 11th hour the decision was reconsidered and he then was transported to Norfolk Island for ten years.

His story did not end there by any means and before his death he narrated his life story to James Lester Burke whose edited version published in 1870 was perhaps more colourful than the truth and has been reprinted many times since.

https://www.amazon.com/Uncensored-Martin-Australian-Bushranger-Lester/dp/0949459437 

More on Martin Cash: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cash-martin-1885

Ghoulies and ghosties and things that go bump in the night—Tricia McGill.

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My mind is currently dwelling in the world of superstition, ghosts and all things supernatural. This of course is down to my latest release, Laurel’s Gift, being a tale of a haunted house and the ghostly child who dwells there. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to write a story containing a ghost, as I’m probably considered strange by more than a few because of my belief in ghosts and other unworldly things. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I have seen my share of ghostly figures. Some would try to explain it away as a vivid imagination. I can live with that, as part of being a writer is doubtless being able to imagine what some might think unimaginable.

I had my own fairy as a small child. Not a ghost for sure, but she was very real to me and would help me overcome my fear of the dark by visiting me at bedtime to keep me company. I loved holidaying in Cornwall and Devon, and perhaps part of that love was because of the Cornish folk’s strong belief in their legends, ghost stories and the many myths that abound there. I saw my first ghost while holidaying near Lynton in Devon. My husband slept soundly at my side when this sensation that someone else shared our room came over me. I think I was scared at that time, but since then have become used to it. It’s never bothered me when members of my family come to say their last goodbyes before moving on. In fact I was upset after my dear sister passed away in January as she was the only one who didn’t come visit straight away. But I’ve seen her twice since, where she was at peace, surrounded by all our loved ones who had gone before.

I’ve just been watching the latest season of Outlanders, Diana Gabaldon’s famous series adapted for TV, where Claire goes through standing stones to get back in time to meet up with her Scottish Jamie. Well Cornwall abounds with its own share of these standing stones, perhaps the most well-known (to me at least) being those on Bodmin Moor. The Hurlers derived their name from the group of men who were caught playing the Celtic sport of hurling on the Sabbath, and because of this sinful act were turned to stone where they stand petrified to this day.

Cornwall Myths and Legends: https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/myths-legends

Years ago I visited the ruins of Tintagel Castle where the legends of King Arthur abound: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tintagel-castle/ and thus Tintagel features in my Time-Travel, A Call Through Time, where the travellers journey across ancient Britain to return to their home near Tintagel.

Another great Cornish story is about the ghost of a lady in white who is seen on Marazion Green jumping onto a horse behind the rider and then the pair gallop off, presumably into the sunset. 

https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/Marazion

I enjoyed telling the story of Laurel and her ghostly child so much. It was one of those tales that more or less told itself without a lot of help from me. I know little of psychics and their abilities, but can understand that some consider them charlatans. One of my nieces shares my affinity with ghosts and to my surprise at a recent family gathering my nephew, the last person I would have expected to do this, admitted that he’d been to see a psychic after my sister’s death and she told him a couple of things that made him sit up and take notice. Call it silly superstition and gobbledegook but we all have a right to our beliefs and fancies.

Another good site to visit if you share my interest in superstition and folklore:

https://sleeplessmusingsofawellgroomedmoustachedman.wordpress.com/2015/02/22/folklore-and-superstition-an-introduction-to-cornish-folklore/

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