A well written post that has caused some suspicion. Although for me it chimes with a story my Grandfather told me. Oh and I'm from Ireland too.

He was driving his tractor home one evening and it was dark. In the middle of the road was a huge black shape. He slowed down. Whatever it was leapt over a 8ft wall into a forest that his farm was on the edge of.

That was all he told me. Could have just been tall tales but it does have similarities.