The Fort at Glasdrumman and the First Blow

Elizabeth Andrews gives the example of a fort near Glasdrumman, in County Down, that was demolished by its owner. She writes that the country people noted that the man who struck the first blow was injured and died soon afterwards, while the owner himself became a permanent invalid. A woman living near the fort said that on the evening after the work began she heard an awful screech from it. Presumably, Andrews adds, the fairies were leaving their home. It is one of several instances she gives of the strong belief that interfering with a stone, tree or fort belonging to the fairies brings disaster.