Ireland/Irish > Black's guide to Killarney and the south of Ireland

QUEENSTOWN, OR THE COVE OP CORK.
57
To the south-west of the town is a piece of water, only
interesting as the scene of one of Crofton Croker’s fairy legends.
“ He says that it was once a small fairy well, covered by a
stone, concerning which a tradition had been handed down
from remote times, which predicted, that if the stone which
covered the well were not replaced every morning after the
dwellers in the valley had taken from it their daily supply of
water, a torrent would rush forth and inundate the valley, and
drown all the inhabitants. This calamity was at length
incurred by a certain princess, who, neglecting the injunction,
forgot to close the mouth of the well, and caused the destruc¬
tion of her father and his people.”
Few towns in Ireland can boast a wider range of ably
supported benevolent and charitable institutions than Cork.
Besides a savings bank and two charitable loan societies, it has
infirmaries and hospitals for fever, lunacy, and other infirmities.
It can boast no less than eight scientific institutions. But, as
a proof of the prevalent destitution and improvidence, it is only
necessary to state that there are no less than thirty-three
pawnbrokers within the city.
QUEENSTOWN, OR THE COVE OF CORK.
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