The disappearance of a Co Sligo lake has, perhaps, more to do with the complex relationship between water and rock than local legend and mythology.
Local historians recorded the disappearance of Lough na Súil in 1833 and 1933 and again in 1965 and 1985.
It has once again drained away, leaving behind wet silt and unanswered questions.
The lake supposedly marks the spot where, more than 3,000 years ago, the Battle of Moytura between the Tuatha de Danann and the Formorians occurred. Legend says that the eye of the Formorian leader, Balor of the Evil Eye, fell on the ground here after it was popped out of his eye socket with a shot from the sling.
The director of the Sligo Institute of Technology and hydrology expert, Dr Richard Thorn, believes the recurring case of the disappearing lake may have more to do with the effect of rain on the limestone rock beneath the lake.
Dr Thorn, who visited the site of the vanished lake when it last disappeared, said he had no doubt that the phenomenon is related to the geology of the area. "I remember seeing a distinct swallow-hole in the bottom of the lake where the water obviously drained away."
He believes there is a complex warren of channels and caves under the lake and when blocked outlets or cavities suddenly give way, the water drains away.
However, he agreed: "The mythology offers a more attractive explanation than the reality."
The phenomenon of 40 acres of water disappearing suddenly was a national talking point in 1933 when it was recorded by locals that the lake disappeared overnight.
This time residents conceded that the lake has been shrinking in recent months, but it vanished quite abruptly over a few days.
"Last time people cut rushes along the shore and made a road out to the centre of the lake," recalled local man George Cogan, who visited the scene yesterday.
"There was a big hole in the centre of it and when you looked in you could see another hole and you could hear the water gurgling."
In 1933 James McDonagh, who lived on the shores of the lake, told the Sligo Champion that enormous piles of trout, perch and eels were wedged on to the bottom of the lake when it disappeared and that these were divided among local people.
