‘Cormac Keenan was heads’ man for Johnston of the Fews [that Priest, Tory and Raparee hunter, of whom the famous couplet was written,
Jesus of Nazareth. King of the Jews
Save me from Johnston, King of The Fews ]
It’s told that he chopped off the head of many a man that was no Tory. He was worse hated than he’s master and that’s saying a lot for indeed Johnston of The Fews was detested and feared by all.
Cormac lived in the townland of Tullyvallen and it was for far too long that he lived in it! But he was only mortal and had to die like others, but his end was wicked.
When he came to die a drop of blood began to drip from the roof right on to his bed. And they moved the bed here and there throughout the house, but the blood followed it and dropped until he died.’
The people of Tullyvallen can still identify the execution rock used by Cormac Keenan.
… Book of Armagh …