Dog Leap: How Limavady Got Its Name (Irish Myths & Legends)

A long time ago, Ireland was covered in a vast ancient, rainforest. These primeval woods were home to wolves, boar and deer, but also to the many kingdoms of the Gaelic Clans. Up in the North Coast near Limavady and the Roe Valley, the Kingdom was called Ciannachta and was mainly ruled by Clan O'Cahan. They were bannermen to the fearsome Clan O'Neill, who dominated much of counties Tyrone, Derry and Fermanagh for a time. The clans were almost constantly fighting one another, alliances rising and falling like the sun's passage overhead. A bit like the disagreements that come with large family gatherings, only with a lot more swords!

One of Clan O'Cahan's most bitter of rivals were their immediate neighbours, Clan McQuillan of Firnacreeve. They ruled from the iconic Dunluce Castle over an important stretch of territory called the Route – the beautiful coastline that links the towns of Ballycastle and Coleraine. Tales of their battles are many, but one of the most famous is the story of Dog Leap. This is the story of how the market town of Limavady got its name, one that has been retold by me with a heck of a lot of creative licence! If you want to learn more, stick the video on and join me for a hoke around the gorgeous Roe Valley, as we learn about the ancient people (and dogs) that once called this magnificent kingdom their home....


00:00 Intro / Limavady and the Linen Industry
03:17 The Cruithne of Ciannachta
06:54 The Rise of the Gaelic Clans and Niall of the Nine Hostages
12:10 Clan O'Cahan
13:55 Gaelic Society and Brehon Law
17:34 The Norman Conquest of Ireland
20:15 Clan McQuillan
25:10 Story


Dedicated to my wonderful dog Paddy, I love you and I miss you!


Photography by Wren Kirkpatrick https://www.instagram.com/rundowncirc...
Film, Words and Music by Malin Hemphill

Dog Leap Sculpture by Maurice Harron, part of the Limavady Sculpture Trail

Equipment:
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 Digital Camera
DJI RSC 2 Gimbal
Zoom H1N Handy Recorder

Software:
Adobe Premiere Pro 2024
Topaz Gigapixel AI

For information on all additional images and sources used in this video, please see the following source document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1togp...