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 eap pronounced "Lep" by the locals
is from the Irish translation of "Leim Ui Dhonnabhain" to "O Donovans
Leap". This is so called because a person of that name is reputed to have jumped
across the ravine at the bottom of the village.
There is an old saying "Beyond the
Leap, beyond the law", indicating that the territory West of Leap, was a haven for
political refugees on the run. They could not be easily followed past the Leap, until the
ravine was bridged when the present Cork-Skibbereen Road was built in 1812-1815.
After the battle of Kinsale 1601, the English under Captain Fowler devastated the area.
Carew, on his march to Dunboy, noted in his diary April 26th 1602, "we departed over
the Leap".
Two famous Churchmen associated with the parish were Dr. Thomas
Herlihy, Bishop of Ross
and Father John Power, Parish Priest of Leap. The Bishop, reputed to have been born in the
parish, was one of the three Irish prelates to attend the famous Council of Trent in 1562.
On his return he was seized and imprisoned by the Queen's soldiers.
Fr. John Power, who died in 1831, had the reputation of being a miracle worker. At the
Abbey Cemetery in Rosscarbery, his tomb is still a place of
pilgrimage on St. John's Eve.
The present St. Mary's Catholic Church in Leap was built under the supervision of
Father Joseph Sheahan, during famine times. The Church of Ireland in the centre of the
village was built in 1828.
Leap boasts a fine all-weather harness racing track, the J.W. Goulding Community
playing field, tennis court and playground as well as an excellent selection of shops,
pubs, dining facilities and comfortable accommodation.
There are very fine fishing facilities locally, both sea and trout fishing on the many
lakes.
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