Aughisky.

Now back to the water monsters of Ireland’s lakes.

Aughisky.

These are the water horses of Ireland and they have been known to gallop out of the crashing waves up onto the shore, venturing inland. They are supposed to make excellent mounts for whoever can catch one, although riding an Aughisky is not without risk. If they hear or see the sea they set off in an uncontrollable charge, galloping straight back into the watery depths where they came from, taking their helpless rider with them to be torn apart. It has even been suggested that the Aughisky may be the so-called "Irish crocodile," which is more commonly referred to as the previously mentioned Dobhar Chu.

Eyewitnesses have described the animal as a Water Horse which is capable of assuming the characteristics of a man, save for its ears, which retain their horse-like appearance. According to legend the Aughisky pastime was to pretend to be grazing quietly at night in order to lure unsuspecting humans onto its back by appearing to be a docile horse. Once the trusting individual was firmly situated on the creature's spine it would suddenly bolt for the nearest lake or riverbed, where it would proceed to devour its victim with the exception of the liver for which it seems to have developed a dislike. It has also been claimed that the skin of the Aughisky has adhesive properties, which would explain why its victims aren't able to leap to safety before plummeting into their watery graves. You see Storytellers think of an answer for everything.

An Aughisky a few years ago frequented Lough Mask, co. Mayo, preying on the cattle, until it was killed by a monk of Tourmakeady. Another that lived in Lough Corrib had a serpent's body and a horse's head; this used to feed on the bodies buried in the churchyard to the south-east of Oughterard, but one of the Lees family whose sister was buried watched her body and killed the monster, its blood staining the church wall to this day: the holes through which this Aughisky came up can be seen along its track through Lemon field Bog.

A water horse that lived in Litter-craffoe Lake was captured by a boy of the Cooney family, he was warned by a wise woman if he ever let it see the water it would be the death of him. For years it was a faithful horse, but one day he brought it in sight of the lake, into which it shot like an arrow, carrying its rider with it, whom it killed and tore to pieces, blood and fragments of his body floated on the surface of the water.

A funny story is told of Tom (we won’t mention his last name).  He spent an evening drinking whiskey on a little Island in the middle of Lough Mask when he saw a water horse coming towards him. He rushed into his boat and pulled for his life,  when he got to land he met a neighbour who asked him to lend him the boat, as his old mare and foal had just swum across the lake and he wanted to follow them, so much for this Aughisky. Must have been strong whiskey.

 In the 7^th century St. Féchine of Fore compelled an Aughisky to pull his chariot after his horse fell dead. There’s always a religious connection.