In the time of St. Ita, a chieftain lived here where Newcastle stands. This chieftain was always ready for any attack. He had his outposts as far out as Templeglantine, five miles to the west of Newcastle West. One day a message reached him that 5,000 men of an invading army from Kerry had camped near Abbeyfeale and was about to attack him the next day.

He immediately went to St. Ita looking for help. She told him that she would ask God to help him. He went home and got his men ready. Next day the fight began. It lasted from sunrise to sunset. The invading army fled. Many of them were slain in the middle of their flight. The place where the battle took place was at Cullinagh and Shanagarry. Lights are often seen at night where the battle took place. I myself saw the light on one occasion. They resembled the lights of motorcycles dancing in the air while more ran on the ground. I watched them for nearly half an hour before they disappeared.

People say 'tis Jack 'o the Lantern but I think it's the ghosts of those slain in the battle haunting the place where they were defeated.