Ballinagran Lake
9th May 1938
Ballinagran lake had its origin in a spring well. This place was a village about 250 years ago. It was customary to keep this well covered but it happened that a woman came to the well one day in a great hurry, and forgot to cover it after taking the water but no sooner had she turned away from the well, that the water started to expand and to her misfortune it drowned her and the whole village in less than five minutes and covered eighteen acres of land.
This lake is called Lough na Minnoo ever since. It dries every seven years. The houses stand erect and all kinds of animals are to be seen especially horses and dogs and on Whit Sunday the horses are said to travel all round the lake and their foot prints are to be seen on the sand. Another remarkable feature about this lake is that three baronies meet within 20 yards of its mouth. It was an old custom on November night to go there and play tricks.
“INFORMANT John Mac Nicholas;, Age; 50, Tawnagh More, Co. Mayo”