Book excerpt: The history of Cavan, affectionately known as ‘The Lakeland County’, is made up of a rich tapestry of folk tales, myths and legends. It is said to be the home of the wailing banshee of the McCabes, the site of Finn MacCool’s last resting place (where his fingers can still be seen) and where, legend has, it a young girl came perilously close to marrying the devil. In this book Gary Branigan will take you on a journey through Cavan’s past, recalling the myths and legends that shaped the area’s history from the early exploits of heroes such as Cúchulainn and the Gobán Saor to the more recent stories of the last highwayman ‘Captain’ Mooney and the tragedy of the Great Hunger. Also featuring tales of cursing stones, fairy gold, mermaids, pookas and dragons, it will take you into a remarkable world where you can let your imagination run wild.