At all events the glen was said to be haunted by Sullivan's spirit, which was in the habit of appearing near the place of murder, from whence he was seen to enter the chasm -- taken with its dark and lonely aspect, it impressed upon the place a reputation of being accursed, as the scene of crime and supernatural appearances. We remember having played in it when young, and the feeling we experienced was one of awe and terror, to which might be added, on contemplating the "dread repose" and solitude around us, an impression that we were removed hundreds of miles from the busy ongoings and noisy tumults of life, to which, as if seeking protection, we generally hastened with a strong sense of relief, after having tremblingly gratified our boyish curiosity. . . .

Author Biography

William Carleton (1794- 1869) was an Irish writer and novelist. He is best known for his Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry, a collection of ethnic sketches of the stereotypical Irishman. In 1830 he published his first full-length book, Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry (2 vols.), which made his name and is considered his best achievement. In it he stereotyped the Irish "Paddy" in sketches such as "Phil Purcel The Pig Driver." A second series (3 vols.), containing, among other stories, "Tubber Derg, or the Red Well," appeared in 1833 and Tales of Ireland in 1834. From that time till within a few years of his death he wrote constantly.