The tiny hamlet of Tiperon graced the western shore of the River Shannon, not far from the straddling mountains of lower Lough Derg. Though small it was roomy, spreading out on a quilt of light and dark green gently rolling vale, which fell away to the grassy skirt of the river. Small farms populated the vale, where potatoes grew in garden patches and blond piles of hay dried in the occasional sun. On these farms were white stone, thatch-roofed cottages with square-cut bricks of black peat stacked high against their outer walls, the smoke from peat fires curling up their
THE CASE OF THE BALLYHAVEN BANSHEE
