Myths & Legends - Beeal-arrish

Many of the ancient legends about the Isle of Man are drawn from a common thread of Irish tradition. Early folk tales say that the two channels of the Sound were created during a great fight between the Irish giant Finn MacCooil, and a local giant known as the Buggane. As the two fought at Burroo Ned, the Buggane hurled Finn MacCooil through the air. The impressions made by Finn’s two feet as he landed were then flooded by the sea, and created the Little Sound and the Big Sound.

It is said that there was once an island to the southwest of the Calf which was the home of Manannan MacLir and which is now submerged beneath the sea. Manannan and his race of giants would raid the Calf and, if pursued, could hide their island and themselves in dense fog.

According to tradition, the Viking chief Kitter was killed on the rock which now bears his name, Kitterland. During a hunting trip to the Calf, Kitter was warned by his cook, Eaoch ("someone who can cry out loud") that the local Celtic people were burning his house. Kitter and his men rushed to their coracle but the boat was smashed into the rock and both he and his men were drowned.

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