Long ago in a small village in County Mayo in the west of Ireland, there lived a beautiful girl called Mary. She was a very pretty girl with long dark hair as black as a raven’s wing and pale skin, as white as snow. Mary was a young woman who loved to dance but, in those days, years ago, there were very few dances held in her area. She had to wait for a notice to be posted on the wall: “Dance in the village hall on Saturday night”. And the minute she saw that notice she would run off and find her father and ask permission to go. Her father always said the same thing: “Yes, you can go as long as I walk you to the dance and walk you home” Of course she had to accept his decision.
The next problem was that she had nothing suitable to wear. On one occasion she was walking down the street past the only half decent shop in the village and there in the window she saw a beautiful red dress. Mary knew that with her dark hair and her pale skin the dress would suit her well. But when she saw the price of it, she knew she could not afford it.
She stared at it longingly without even thinking she spoke out loud and said: “I’d give my heart and soul for that dress”.
And the minute the words were out of her mouth a voice behind her said: “Would you give me your heart and soul for the dress?” –
“Oh, indeed I would”, she said, without thinking. And when she turned her head there behind her was a handsome young man. He was tall, dark and handsome, wearing a smart black suit. In his hands he held a parcel. Holding it towards Mary he said: “Here’s your dress.”
“Oh no sir!” she said. “I don’t even know you. I can’t accept a gift from you.”
“Oh sorry”, he said “Allow me to introduce myself.”
He took her hand and said: “My name is Nicholas. I’ve been away from this village for years. I have just returned. You are the nicest girl I’ve seen since I’ve been away. And I know this dress would suit you well. Please take it as a gift. Come to the dance with me.”
What could she say? He was good looking, obviously had some money, and plenty of manners. She brought him home and introduced him to her parents who were very impressed with the young man. And her father, though strict, agreed that Mary and Nicholas could walk out together, which was dating in the olden days. When it came round to the night of the dance her father agreed that the young man could bring her to the dance – and Nicholas should also bring her home.
What an exciting night! Mary wore the beautiful red dress. Mary and Nicholas danced every dance together until the end of the night. Then it was time to leave the village hall and walk down the lonely road home.
Leaving the lights behind, with just a bit of starlight to light the way, the trees along the road nodded like old men’s heads. Mary and Nicholas came to a part of the road where it forked. And there were two ways home to Mary’s house.
One was a long way; the other was a shortcut over an old stone bridge. Nicholas turned to go over the bridge. “No” said Mary, “we can’t go that way.”
“But we were over it this afternoon. It’s the way we always go.”
“Oh yes” said Mary, “that was in daytime. Nobody crosses that bridge at nighttime; Daddy says it’s not safe.”
Nicholas gave a quiet laugh. “Daddy says. Your daddy’s not here. I’m here. Come on give me your hand and walk across.”
Mary took his hand and they walked over the bridge. When they got to the middle of it Nicholas stopped. Oh, Mary’s heart was beating really fast She had lost her heart to him weeks before. He turned and he looked down into her eyes. As she looked up into his she noticed they seemed to glow reddish. Then he said in a quiet voice: “Do you remember the day you said you’d give your heart and soul for the dress? I know I’ve got your heart, but tonight, I’ll take your soul.”
He grabbed her. The girl screamed. And as she screamed and screamed the bridge started to open and flames came up. Nicholas grabbed her and was dragging her towards those flames. Mary kicked and screamed and yelled and an old priest who was visiting the sick heard the young woman call. He ran to that bridge, saw what was going on .
“Leave that girl alone! “commanded the priest.
“Oh no “said Nicholas, “she said she’d give her heart and soul for the dress. I won’t leave here tonight without her heart and her soul.”
The old man said: “Take mine.”
Immediately Nicholas released the girl. She ran home screaming for her father and her brothers. But when they rushed back to the bridge, the whole bridge had sealed over. Nicholas had vanished, and all that was left of the old man was his collar and his rosary beads.
They say that if you go to County Mayo to this very day, there is a village in which there is an old stone bridge that is all sealed around with barbed wire. No-one crosses that bridge night or day.
LIZ WEIR
932 words
© 2026 Liz Weir