‘She’s our cow you know:’ stories of the Glas Ghaibhneach: local lore, migratory legend

ABSTRACT In this article, legends about the cow of abundance in Irish tradition – An Ghlas Ghaibhneach – are discussed, as well as landmarks associated with the legendary cow, with a special focus on material from the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. The Irish material is compared to legends found in Britain related to the Dun Cow, and aspects of folklife associated with the Dun Cow are also considered. The relationship between these folk narratives and the natural environment is investigated, and ultimately the capacity of these stories, and of the legend genre more broadly, to explore themes of both a highly localized and international nature is reflected on.