ROMANCE OF A SKELETON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12853, 29 April 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

ROMANCE OF A SKELETON.

IRISH MYSTERY SOLVED AFTER FIFTY YEARS.

A romance of half a century ago has been revived by a discovery at Inch Island, Dingle Bay, Co. Kerry.

A boy who was strolling across the island struck his foot against something sticking out of the ground. He stooped down to see what it was. He had unearthed a human skull, and, full of fear, he lied incontinently from the spot. He told his tidings, and the police went to the place and began to dig. Two feet below the surface they found the skeleton of a full-grown woman, of medium height. An inquest was held, but the jury could arrive at no decision. There was no evidence of identification, and there was nothing to show the circumstances of the woman's death. And then there came back to the minds of the older islanders a memory which seemed to solvi the mystery. Fifty years ago, says the Irish Independent, there lived on Inch Island a man named Moriarty, who had the reputation of be» ing much of a smuggler and not a little of a pirate. He traded, without the co-operation of the revenue authorities, with a Spanish wine merchant, whose son frequently visited Moriarty. TWO LOVERS. During one of these visits lie fell violently in love with Aileen Moriarty, who was also beloved by Murtagh O'Sullivan, the handsome young lieutenant of her father in his illicit trade. The Spaniard won Aileeti's heart, and preparations were begun on a lavish scale for the wedding. But when the marriage day dawned Aileen and Murtagh had vanished. For many days a feverish but ineffective search was made for them, and at length the young Spaniard sailed home bereft of his bride.

The island tongues were busy, and it was generally . agreed that Murtagh had done Aileen to death and fled from the scene of bis crime.

The story was told at the fireside on winter nights, and the ghost of Aileen came to corroborate it.

Wayfarers saw her wandering in the moonlight with the hilt of a dagger protruding from her breast. Others beheld her wraith, at the spot where the skeleton was found, kneeling in her bridal robes. Although the law is unsatisfied, the islanders of Inch sue convinced that the remains are those of the murdered daughter of tto muggier,.