Witch of Tory
From DirtyWiki
They call her Binne (BIN-ya), or the Witch of Tory (Cailleach na Thoraí).
Legend says she is a faerie with long, dark hair and a beauty that, as it always seems, lures both men and women in and does not let go. She is said to be able to speak to the earth and the earth speaks back and has great power over not only Tory Island, but over the whole world itself. It is her magic in the soil. Few have ever seen her, for there is a danger of death or of getting lost on one's way home if one does. While there is another who lives there, she is safe to encounter and will occasionally come into the towns. Mostly ironically, Binne is said to be a master of healing and of giving life, and if you hear her singing you will live a long and healthy existence.
They say she lives in the very cliffs near Tor Mór and the ancient cottage is but a distraction so that no one goes looking beneath. The cottage has been there as long as anyone can remember. But venture too close and the earth will rot and the waves will crash ten times harder, killing anyone on the sea. Capture her and all of the secrets of life will be given to you but you will not live long enough to tell.
On 22 September, 1884, the captain of the HMS Wasp is said to have been distracted by a woman standing near the light house shortly before the frigate shipwrecked.
That is their legend. The islanders have a reality, as well.
The locals affectionately refer to her as Binne and claim that it's her magical properties in the cursing stone that saved them from the HMS Wasp. They also say it's her presence that drives out the Fomorians and keeps the island safe.
She lives in an old, thatched-roof cottage far from the towns, over the cliffs above the stormy shores. The grounds are magical and sacred and it is against local law to trespass because it is still a private residence. The Wishing Stone is her earpiece. You are not to touch any animals you find at the end of the island.
Outside of this legend, though still honoring its origins, the people of Tory Island have grown up with the supernatural occurrences that come from the cottage, and keep all of the secrets. They lie about its inhabitants and its origins and do not permit any foreign visitors to so much as have a brief look around--as mentioned, it's still a private residence. It's not about being afraid of a witch, more about knowing to respect their island's millennia old secret.
However, every islander will eagerly share the legend with visitors and will tell you about their encounters with the second woman who lives there, the one who comes into town. They will tell you that they give them free meat in exchange for various things (usually eggs or trinkets, as the woman always has plenty of both and no one can understand where she gets them from--especially when she once gave a shop owner a diamond ring of perfect cut and quality and didn't seem to realize its value). They will tell you that the other one, Binne, doesn't leave the cottage and is rarely seen anywhere but the yard around the cottage and it's not wise to stare when she is. They will tell you that they never speak to anyone and that no one speaks to them, but that once there were more of their kind and no one is alive who remembers.
They will tell you that their witch is their most coveted piece of history and that they are blessed to have her with them.
