Mermaid at Derrygimla, County Donegal (1819)

Near Errisbeg. CC image by Charles Nelson.

MERMAID.

Naturalists have hitherto doubted of the existence of Mermaids and Mermen; we have it now in our power to set at rest the doubts of sceptics upon this duplex order of animals, one having lately discovered basking upon the rocks of Derrygimla, in Errisbeg (Cunnemara), after the ebbing of the tide.

It was discovered by a female of the lower order, who was then about four months pregnant; she was suddenly startled by a kind of scream, which was followed by the plunging of an animal half female and half fish, her lower extremities having the confirmation of a dolphin. This woman was so terrified as to miscarry, and has never been able to leave her bed since. The tide being out, the animal had some difficulty in reaching the water. THOMAS EVANS, Esq. of Cleggan, just arrived upon the coast in time to witness her last plunges; having gained the water she disappeared for a few moments, but again appeared perfectly composed; Mr. EVANS now had a favourable opportunity of examining this so long doubted genus; - it was about the size of a well-grown child of ten years of age; a bosom prominent as a girl of sixteen; a profusion of long dark brown hair, full dark eyes, hands and arms formed like the human species, with a slight web connecting the upper part of the fingers which were frequently employed throwing back her flowing locks, and running them through her hair. Her movements in the water seemed principally directed by the [?] extremity. For near an hour she remained in apparent tranquility, in view of upwards of 300 persons, until a musket was levelled at her, when having flashed in the pan, she immediately dived, and was not afterwards seen. Mr Evans declares that she did not appear to him to possess the power of speech, for her looks appeared vacant, and there was a [...dent ] want of intelligence. As this is the season of the [?] we are in hopes some of our fishermen may draw her in their nets, as it is extremely probable, at the time she was first discoverered, she was in search of some place to deposit her young. We understand several depositions upon oath as to this animal's appearance are to be made. We are promised to have the description, which we shall be happy to lay before our readers.
- (Galway Advertiser of Saturday).

From the Morning Post, September 25th, 1819.