of years ago a group of fishermen caught a mermaid in their nets while fishing in the Conwy estuary. Ignoring her pleas for freedom, they paraded her through the town until, like a fish, the mermaid started to suffocate on air. As she died, the mermaid cursed the men of Conwy, their wives, their children, and future generations. She cursed the buildings, future buildings, and vowed that Conwy would suffer many drownings, wars, diseases and disasters until the end of time.
In 1966 Conwy Town Hall, which stood on the spot where the mermaid was said to have died, burned down. Several locals said they heard the mermaid’s ghostly laughter as the building burned. The land on which it had stood was later developed as a library, but within two months of completion it had burned down again – and once again, the mermaid’s laughter was heard through the flames.
The Sunken Town
In the basin of the valley where Lake Bala (Llyn Tegid in Welsh) lies, there was once a town. This town was inhabited by immoral and selfish people, and ruled by a very cruel and wicked man, who one night held a huge party in his palace to celebrate the birth of his first child.
A local harpist was ordered to provide entertainment at the party. Despite hating the ruler, who ruled the town harshly, the harpist knew it would be very dangerous to refuse, so reluctantly attended and played for the guests.
As the party progressed the harpist heard a strange whispering behind him. He turned and saw a little bluebird which kept repeating the same word over and over again: “Vengeance! Vengeance!” – at the same time beckoning the harpist to follow it.
The harpist left the palace and followed the bird up a hillside, where he slept all