Feakle (An Fiacal)

The name Feakle is said to come from the Gaelic 'fiacal' meaning tooth-tradition tells us that St. Mochonna was crossing stepping stones when he fell and broke a tooth. Feakle was the home of Biddy Early (1798-1874), a famous herbalist who specialised in folk cures. She was buried in Feakle graveyard as was the poet Brian Merriman and, according to local folk-lore, a man named Concubhar Thadgh who was said to inflict a plague of rats on anyone he disliked. At a wake he fell senseless with the drink and seemed to be dead, so another coffin was sent for. On the way to the graveyard, sounds were heard from the coffin, but nobody would dare open it, so he was buried alive! Feakle today is a picturesque village popular with walkers and world renowned for its traditional music sessions and especially the annual festival in August.