Corcomroe Abbey stands shrouded in mystery and romance, its stone walls bearing witness to a tragic tale of star-crossed lovers. On Christmas Eve, 24 December, the ghostly apparitions of Cearbhall O' Dalaigh and Eibhlin Kavanagh, the King of Scotland's daughter, are said to appear within the abbey's ancient walls. According to legend, the young couple eloped, seeking to marry in secret, but their happiness was short-lived. The King, determined to prevent their union, pursued them, and it was within Corcomroe Abbey that their lives were brutally cut short.

This haunting is steeped in history, dating back to the 13th century. Cearbhall O' Dalaigh, a renowned Irish poet, fell deeply in love with Eibhlin Kavanagh, and their desire to be together led to their downfall. The King of Scotland, determined to keep his daughter from marrying a poet, caught up with the couple at midnight on Christmas Eve. Tragically, both Cearbhall and Eibhlin were murdered within the abbey, and their spirits are said to reenact this poignant moment every year on the same date. While there are no documented witness accounts, the legend has endured, captivating the imagination of locals and visitors alike.