Mullinhassig Wood & Waterfalls, Aghavrin facts for kids

Mullinhassig Wood & Waterfalls

Muileann an Easaigh Mullinhassig Wood Poulanassig Waterfall Mullinhassig Waterfall
Location in island of Ireland
Alternative name	Poll an Easaigh
Location	Aghavrin/Shanavagha, County Cork, Ireland
Coordinates	51°55′38.38″N 8°49′45.32″W / 51.9273278°N 8.8292556°W / 51.9273278; -8.8292556
Type	Forest
Site notes
Ownership	Coillte
Public access	Yes
Website	http://www.coillte.ie/

Mullinhassig Wood is a beautiful forest in County Cork, Ireland. It's owned by Coillte, a company that manages forests in Ireland. You can find it about 4 km (2.5 mi) north-west of Coachford village.

Inside the wood, you'll discover the stunning Poulanassig Waterfall. It's about 0.75 km (0.47 mi) west of the main entrance. This scenic spot is open to everyone and is a favorite place for both locals and visitors to enjoy nature.

What's in a Name?

The name Mullinhassig comes from the Irish words Muileann an Easaigh. This means 'Mill of the Waterfall'. Long ago, there was a mill here. It was a fulling mill, which means it was used to clean and thicken wool. Later, it became a creamery, and now a house stands on the site.

Old descriptions of the area talk about the 'glen of Mullinassig'. A glen is a narrow valley. They say it was a very beautiful and romantic place. There was a small mill at the top of the valley. Below the mill, the river formed a waterfall. Then, the water flowed into a lovely lake.

The Waterfalls of Mullinhassig

It can be a bit confusing, but there are actually two main waterfalls here. The one most people call Mullinhassig Waterfall is actually named Poulanassig Waterfall. This is the one you'll often see on signs.

The real Mullinhassig Waterfall is located next to where the old mill used to be. It's a bit further north-west from Poulanassig. Old maps from 1842 and 1901 show both waterfalls correctly named.

In the past, there were even three waterfalls in this area! One of them, called Poulachourane Waterfall, no longer exists. It was about 12 feet tall. There were also two ponds nearby, known as Good's Pond and Bowing's Pond. These ponds were used to send water to nearby farms for irrigation. Today, Poulachourane Waterfall and these ponds are gone.

Local Legends

The Poulanassig Waterfall is a popular spot, and it has some interesting local stories. One legend says that a mermaid lives in the waterfall's pool. She can turn into a salmon. If you visit quietly in the late evening, you might see her. She is said to comb her hair on a special stone 'stool' next to the waterfall. But if she senses a stranger, she quickly dives to the bottom of the pool.

There's also a large rock near the top of the waterfall. People say this boulder is the mermaid's 'table'. Another version of the story warns that the mermaid might try to trick fishermen. She supposedly lures them to the bottom of the pool. There, they spend forever releasing fish from other anglers' hooks! This is why, according to the legend, no fish are ever caught in the pool, even though it's said to be full of salmon.

Aghavrin Clapper Bridge

At the eastern side of Mullinhassig Wood, you can also find the Aghavrin Clapper Bridge. This is an old type of bridge made from large, flat stone slabs.

Images for kids

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  Poulanassig Waterfall

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  Mullinhassig Waterfall