Folklore
In 1936, The National Museum of Ireland, notified the National Schools throughout Ireland to collect folklore from the older generations in their area.
Master Kelly was instrumental in organising the children in Kingsland N.S., to do just that. The Children's Stories which they heard from their fathers, grandfathers and neighbours, were all stored by microchip in the National Library of Ireland.
Roscommon Library now houses the tapes. I spent two days in the library writing down the children's stories. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.
- Deridre Harrington, Grangemore
"GOLD" TURF
There is a good share of folklore in my district which is called Kingsland. Once upon a time a man called John Mulrooney lived in Kingsland, he and a man by the name of William Harrington are connected in this story. Bill Harrington as he was called by the people of the neighbourhood lived in Ardmoyle. One day he was cutting turf near his home. A great thing happened, on every sod of turf that he cut, there was a piece of gold. He was delighted at this. It was to be that Johnnie Mulrooney would come along and get half the gold, which he did. The man by the name of Harrington saw Johnnie coming. Johnnie did not see the gold on the turf. He stopped cutting the turf and did not tell Johnnie anything about his good fortune. Soon Johnnie went away and knew nothing about the gold. When old Bill got Johnnie gone, he started to cut the turf again, but to his sorrow, there was no gold on the end of the sods. The sods which he had cut with the Gold on them, turned into turf again. It was said that the good people had it left out for the two, but when Bill did not tell Johnnie, the fairies turned it back into turf again.
THE OLD FORGE
Heard From: William Harrington (60), Tonroe, Kingsland.
Written by: Nell Harrington.
Long ago there was an old forge in Kingsland. The owners were Paddy and Anthony Moran. Both men worked hard on the forge. All the horses for many miles were brought to be shod. These men made many things besides horseshoes. The old barn was near the Kingsland crossroads, just beside Murray's house. It is a ruin now. Nothing left but four walls. These men made good money, because there was no other forge near the place. They always got a lot of work to do.
STRONGMAN
Heard From: Roger McHugh (56), Farmer, Tonroe, Kingsland.
Written by: Bernadette McHugh.
Many books of folklore have been written in connection with strong men. Some of the old people who live in Tonroe have told me that there were many strong men living in the village. Paddy Cregg was the strongest man in Tonroe. One bright May morning Paddy got up from bed with the intention of doing a good day’s work cutting turf with his brother. He was going to cut the turf on his brother spread. It was five o'clock in the morning when the started, Paddy worked hard the whole day. He never lifted his head except when going to dinner and his tea. In the evening on his return home from work he had a different story to tell, because he had four spit of turf cut. Everyone thought he would be unable to work for a week afterwards.
THE OLD SCHOOL
Heard From: William Harrington, Lacken, Kingsland.
Written by: Nell Harrington.
In Kingsland long ago there was an old school. The old building in which it was, is still to be seen. In the old school, seats were never used, neither were desks. As the pupils did their exercises, they left their books on their knees. This we may think was very difficult but the scholars of long ago did not think so. Some of the scholars came long distances to be taught. They got a good education and some of them got good jobs. The school was at the bottom of Kingsland hill beside where the post office is now. Where the old school was, there is an old barn now. The teach er who taught in this school was called Master Naughton. He was a lame man. He carried a stick in school as well as outside. He was a good teacher. He could get cross sometimes and slapped the children with his walking stick. In those days there were very little blackboard s. Slates were used instead. To write on the slate they used a slate pencil.
LOCAL FESTIVALS
Heard From: James McGlynn (48), Finisclin, Kingsland.
Written by: Annie Kenny.
There are many festivals throughout the year. St. Stephen’s Day falls on 26th December. It is a great feast day for the boys. They dress up in old clothes and go from house to house gathering money. They sang many a good tune. This is one of the songs they sang, "Up with the kettle, down with the pan, give us three ha'pence to bury the wren". In the evening the older boys organised a dance, called the "Wren Dance". Shrove Tuesday is the last day before lent begins. It is the last day for getting married in that time. Pancakes are also made on this day. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, nearly every person goes to bed on this day. Holy ashes are also distributed. Many devotions take place in the church on Holy Thursday. People do penance on Good Friday. Some time ago the rosary was recited in homes between 12 noon and 3.00 p.m. It was between these hours that Our Lord died. On Easter Sunday morning the sun dances with joy about 5 o'clock. It is said it is dangerous to go into water on Whit Sunday. On St. John's night big bonfires are lit, out in the open air. 15th August, Our Lady's Day, pilgrimages are made to Knock on this day. St. Martin's feast day is held on 11th November, a fowl is killed in each house on this day and its blood is spilt at the 4 corners of the house. Halloween night is a great feast night. Many old games are played on this night, such as ducking for money and apples. Cabbage is also stolen on this night.
On New Year's Day there are many old superstitions kept alive. It is said if a person lends money on this day, he will be lending money for the whole year. It is said also it is not lucky for a red-haired woman to go into a house on New Year's Day. Some people never clean their houses or throw out the ashes on this day as they count it unlucky. April 1st is All Fools Day; everyone tries to play tricks on each other. St. Brigid's Day, 1st February, long ago there were many old customs on this day. There are very little of those kept now.
HOLY WELLS
Heard From: Pat rick Kenny, Tonroe, Kingsland.
Written by: Annie Kenny, Tonroe, Kingsland.
in my district there are many Holy Wells. In Kilnamanagh there is a holy well called St. Patrick's Well. It is said St. Patrick visited this well one time. In Killaraght there is another holy well, called St. Attracta’s well. Some years ago, there used to be a pattern held at this well on the 11th August. Hundreds of people came to the well on the day of the pattern and they prayed for hours when they were going home. They left something after them. There is also a holy well in Annagh, which is also called St.Patrick's Well, because St. Patrick visited the place.
LOCAL CURES
Heard From: Mrs. McGlynn (51), Kingsland.
Written by: Josie McGlynn, Kingsland.
People long ago had a cure for every ailment that was going through the country.
Examples:
- Toothache: A piece of chew ed tobacco stuck into the tooth.
- Chin cough: Ferrets leavings and gave it to the person.
- Scorch of a Nettle: A dock leaf which was spat on and the leaf fastened to the scorch.
- Septic Wound: A leaf of cabbage, smooth side to the wound was placed over it, to heal it.
- Stye in the Eye: They pointed nine gooseberry thrones to it and threw away the tenth, there were special days for doing it (Mondays and Thursdays).
- Ring Worm: The seventh boy or seventh daughter had the cure for ring worm.
- Burns: Soap was rubbed into the burn.
- Warts: A snail was rubbed into the burn. They then hang the snail on a bush and as the snail withers away, the wart is likely to as well.
- Broken Bones: A plant called Combrey when scrapped, made it into a plaster was the cure.
- Cuts and Scrapes: A dock leaf was considered good, a herb called Lady Mantle was also good.
- Dog Bites and Cat Scrapes: A hair from the animal that did the harm was regarded as a cure. The seventh son of the family was called the doctor.
LOCAL HEROES
Written by: Master Kelly - 1939
Some great mowers in the Kingsland area were Tom Connolly aged 82, at present. He mowed in the townland of Tournagee, l acre 6 per (Irish) from 6.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. He prepared and walked to Boyle a distance of 6 Irish miles. Another great mower in the locality was Pat King who died about 1937 and resided in a house on the roadside to the east of Killaraght school. Patsy Muldoon,Tonroe was another great mower. He lived to about 80 years of age. Danny McEgan 6'2" in height was a great walker. He was known to travel 3 Irish miles in ½ an hour and on one occasion was said to have travelled from Tournagee to Boyle in ½ an hour when about 86-years of age. A great dancer was Michael Keavney of Killerdoo townland, about 200 yards north of Kingsland school.
Singers: James Drury (Pat the teacher's father) was a great singer, he lived in Emlagh Townland.
Storyteller: Barney Cryan of this district was a great Storyteller (Emlagh area). Jimmy Moore who visited the locality frequently. His stories were very long and ran for several nights, a crowded house always patiently listened. A great walker in the area was Pat Forde, father of the present Martin Forde who resides in Annagh. He walked all the way from near Lough Gara to Drogheda. Roger Cregg was a good walker too. He travelled from Tonroe six miles south of Boyle to Strandhill, Co. Sligo about 30 Irish miles in one day.
HOME PLACE NAMES
Written by: Master Kelly
Killeradoo: This was the name of a townland a couple of hundred yards north of the school. It is a small townland consisting of about two holdings. On the holding owned by Pat Haver, on the remains of an old disused church yard, some small stones probably used to cover graves are still to be seen. There is also a peculiar type of fort nearby which is said to have been used as a pagan burial ground.
Clum-na-Cille: This is the name of a field in the present townland of Derrycough near Lough Gara. As its name implies, a church stood there centuries ago. The site of the church is clearly defined and is about two feet higher than the level of the surrounding land. The amount of land included under the name might be about 3 acres.
OLD HOUSES
Written by: Master Kelly
Before 1849 (Famine Period), there were scores of houses in the school district of which there is not a trace at present. In Annagh beside Lough Gara, there were 13 houses, now there is only one resident in the district, Martin Forde. On the south side of the road in the townland of Lough Gara, on the land at present owned by Hugh Drury. There was quite a cluster of little bog huts, not one of which remains at present.
In the townland of Cloonacurrow on land owned by Michael Cregg stood several houses, not one of which now remains.
FOLKLORE 31-1-39
Heard From: Thomas Durgnan, Hawksford, Ballaghaderreen.
Written by: Louretta Mulrennan, Tonroe, Kingsland.
Years ago, there was a priest living in this parish - Fr. Michael White. At this time the usual way of carriage was horse-back. It was a very dark night and a person from Kilnamanagh came for the priest. Everybody was in bed, for it was about two o'clock. As he came near Sharkey’s Bridge, the horse frightened, stood upright and would not move or step. The man could see nothing or hear nothing, but his horse would not move. The poor man was in a hurry as he was going on a sick call. No matter what he would do with the horse, it would not move one inch. The man had to stay there until day light. He was perished with the cold. Then the horse crossed the bridge without any trouble. The man was glad when he reached the priest. He told him the length he was there.
The priest got ready quickly and the two went off. People say that ever since that night, that horses see something at night that people cannot see.
BREAD IN OLDER TIMES
Heard From: Bridget Sharkey (76), Carrowsca, Frenchpark.
Written by: Patrick O'Connor, Cassowsca, Frenchpark.
Most of the bread that was made in this locality was made from oatmeal. The farmers grew much more oats in older times than they do now. The oat bread was usually baked on a grid-iron. Sometimes the cake was put standing beside the fire, and occasionally it was baked on the warm heart stone, which was especially swept and cleaned for this purpose. The oats were ground locally into meal. Mills for this purpose were fairly numerous. There were usually 3 or 4 in each parish. There was a mill near Frenchpark, there was another one half a mile below Breedogue Church at the bridge which crosses the little river that flows through Mulrooneys land. There is no trace of them now, but people will point out the site of the old mill. About 80 or 90 years ago, flour was very scarce, and it was a great novelty to get about a stone of flour for Christmas.
To grind corn a hand quern was used in the farmers houses. Boxty was made in most houses and is still made today. The potatoes were scrapped to a pulp, this was mixed with flour and made into small cakes. They were either baked in a pan like oat cake or boiled in water. This latter method was considered a daintier method of cooking the boxty, than baking it. The boxty was regarded as a food that had a great staying power in it. Potato bread was very popular too, made with flour and beaded potatoes.
OLD SCHOOLS IN THE POINT
Heard From: Mrs. Drury (79), Post Office, Kingsland.
Written by: Nell Harrington, Lacken, Kingsland.
Long ago there was an old school in the little village of Point, which is just outside Kingsland. There are about six houses in it. This little village is in the fields. The teachers name was Miss Murray. The little house in which she lived is now in ruins. The school was in the house in which she lived. She was known in the neighbourhood as "Biddy". She was a good teacher.
The little school was a small thatched house. There was only one apartment in this little house which was used as a kitchen, school and all. Here the scholars were taught all their lessons. The teacher was not paid any salary by the government. She was paid one penny by every child on Monday mornings. There were about fifty scholars going to school.
There was no Irish taught, but all the other subjects such as geography and history were taught. Many of the old people of the village went to this school. There as what was called a "Presty'' built out in the side wall. The floor of it was covered in straw. When any of the children were tired standing they were allowed to go and sit on the straw. It was not sitting down the would be when they would get into the "Presty'' but thumbing in the straw. Perhaps two of three children would be in it together and it was then they would have fun. They all loved going to school. The classes were held out in the fields in the summer of in Pat Murray's Barn or the little house in the winter.
AN OLD SCHOOL OF LONG AGO
Heard From: Patrick Kenny, Tonroe.
Writ ten by: Annie Kenny, Tonroe
About 50 years ago there was a school at the bottom of Kingsland Hill. At the present the school is on the top of the hill. Beside the school now is built a post office owned by Mr s. Drury, and she has the old school as a barn. It was a very small school not near as large as the school we have at present. About sixty years ago there were a lot more scholars going to school than at the present day. The school accommodated over 100 scholars. The master that taught those scholars was very cross, his name was Master Naughton. He was a lame man and he always carried a stick with him. In those days there were no desks. When the scholars were writing in their copies, they had to leave them on their knees. They had no steel pens, they used only quill pens. The master used to spend half of his day painting those quills. Master Naughton turned out famous scholars and many of them took high positions in Ireland.
WEATHER LORE
Heard From: Patrick Kenny, Tonroe, Kingsland.
Written by: Annie Kenny, Tonroe, Kingsland.
There are a number of local beliefs about the weather. These are some of them. If there is a big ring around the sun or a halo it is said it is a sign of rain. If the stars look very big and appear very near to us it is another sign of broken weather. By the wind people can tell when there will be rain. Every farmer likes the south and east winds. When the wind is from the west it carries a lot of moisture with it from the Atlantic Ocean. When the wind rises high the cold air causes it to fall as rain.
Birds also give signs of the weather. When crows fly low it is a sign of rain. If there is a lot of "Soileans" together in a field, people know we will have rain. Those birds are nearly always beside the sea, but when rain is coming the fly inland because it is not so rough. Some of the farm animals also show signs of the weather. If the cat has her back to the fire it is a sign of broken weather. Sometimes we see a dog eating grass, this is another sign of rainy or broken weather. If it is raining in the early part of the day, and a horse is seen standing under a bush, it is a sign the weather will continue for the rest of the day. If the cricket is singing sharply, or there is a multitude of flies flying about in the shade we are likely to have rain. If the air is heavy of there is blue blazes in the fire it is also a sign of rain to come.
TRAVELLING FOLK
Heard From: Mrs. P. Warde (46), Kingsland.
Written by: Mary Warde, Kingsland.
Some years ago there was a lot of travellers going through the country. Most of the people called them "Gypsies". They travelled in families. Sometimes the stayed near the lake in the summer, because they liked to go fishing. There are some ancient names still, such as McDonough, McGinley, Wards, Stokes and Delaney’s. There were some great story tellers such as Jimmy Moore, "Mike the Lark", John Sampey and the blind priest. Jimmy Moore's stories would last for days and nights. When the neighbours would hear that Jimmy came, they would all assemble in the house to hear one of his long stories. Then he would go to another house and stay for another few nights telling his wonderful stories. Mick the Lark was another great character. He used to do a lot of knitting, and he also went about the country with a basket selling small little articles. He also used to steal fowl. Mick was a great whistler that is why he was called "Mick the Lark". John Sampey was another man who was fond of going to patterns. He used to go to Sligo and every place he heard there would be any kind of amusement. The blind priest was another great person of former years. The people thought that they had great privilege if he came to stay with them. He used to bring relics and little things from Knock. Some people like to see some of those people coming because they bring them news and stories. A few years ago, they nearly all went on carts and some walking, but now they have comfortable vans. They are not so poor because the buy and sell asses and they clean chimneys. The woman sell small things out of baskets and cans.
THE OLD SCHOOL
Heard From: Mrs. McGlym) (Mother).
Written by: Josie McGlynn.
Over 100 years ago there was a school in Kingsland. The teachers name was John Naughton and the assistant teacher's name was Miss Murray. The had a good attendance of scholars, the Master had the name of being cross with them, but he was a good teacher. Nobody got a local paper those days except for Mr. John Conane of Kingsland House. The master used to send one of the boys for it when he thought he would have it read. When he could not get it, he sent two of his good boys to Frenchpark for it. He told them to bring him a loaf of bread and 16 oz. of sugar. After leaving Frenchpark they started picking at the loaf and sugar and had it all eaten when they got to the school. That was the job to get the paper to the Master. They threw the paper at the school window and ran for it. Master Naughton could not follow them as he was lame. The boys did not turn up for school for a week in which the loaf and sugar were forgotten. In the course of time Master Naughton died R.I.P. The old shack of a school fell to the ground and Miss Murray the assistant teacher carried on a school in her house at Point: The pupils paid one penny each week. She carried on the school until Rev. W. White cc Breedogue got Kingsland N.S. built and it now stands since 1883.
LOCAL SAINTS
Heard From: Patrick Kenny (50), Tonroe, Kingsland.
Written by: Annie Kenny.
We do not know much about the saints that lived in Ireland long ago. In our own district there are three saints that we have heard about. St. Patrick, St. Attracts and St. Asicus. Above Frenchpark there is a place called Rathcroghan. A king lived there with his two daughters. They knew nothing about the true God. One day those two young daughters went to the well for water. St. Patrick met them at the well. He knew they were not Christians. He instructed them in their faith. They asked to be baptised, which he did at the well. There is a Holy Well in Kilnamanagh called St. Patrick's Well. There is another in Killaraght called St. Attracta's well.St. Attracta divided the waters of Lough Gara one time. A saint lived in Elphin called St. Asicus. He was the first Bishop of our diocese.
THE FAMINE
Heard From: Anne Golden (70), Kilnamanagh, Frenchpark.
Written by: Eileen Snee, Kllnamanagh, Frenchpark.
The famine took place in the years 1847 and 848. This caused much hard ship. The potato crop failed and the people had nothing to eat, but Indian Porridge. There is an old boiler in my garden at home and a man name d Pritchard used to boil the full pot of Indian Stirabout. Douglas Hyde's father used to deliver that to the poor. The children used to come with their little cup or saucepan and ask for the full or even half of it. The weaker children were carried by their mothers on their backs or in their arms.
There was a large number of poor people in the district to be fed. In 1845 the blight appeared in Ireland. It spread very quickly, and all the crops failed. People fed on weeds and raw turnips. The children used to go to the fields gathering weeds. They boiled them with salt and tried to survive on that. The following year the crop was the same. Douglas Hyde's father gave them a receipt,because of the crop failure they could not pay any Rent.
Before the famine there were twice as many people as there are today, but the population began to fail. O'Connell was so heart broken, that when he was going to see the Pope in Rome, he died in Genoa on the way.
A STORY
Heard From: Tom Connolly (82), Kingsland, Frenchpark.
Written by: Mrs. Dan Campbell, Kingsland.
One night a man was coming from rambling and when he was in a field near his home, he heard the noise like the rattling of chains. He was afraid and began to walk faster and faster. He climbed the ditch into his own garden, but the noise of the chains was getting nearer and nearer. When he got to his house and was unlocking his front door, the chains were rattling almost beside him and he could see nothing. He ran into the house terrified.
A few nights later after he went rambling to the same house again, and was coming home, about 10 o'clock and in the same place, he heard the same noise again and he went astray. He heard horses galloping and saw big lights all around him. He could not find his own house until 12 o'clock. The man near died with fear and never went out rambling after that night, since this story is quite true and only happened a few weeks ago. I know the man quite well.
A STORY
Heard From: Malachy Cregg (71), Kingsland, Frenchpark.
Written by: Mary Anne Warde, Kingsland.
Some years ago, there was a field ripe with wheat and fit for reaping near Killaraght. It was in a village called Killarideus. One day in the harvest the owner of the field and another man went out to the field to reap it. They worked hard all day.' When the evening came, they went to the · house for their tea. It was 5 o'clock when they were at the wheat field and after their lunch they continued with their work. At about 6 o'clock one man throws his hook in the air. When the hook came down it was stained withblood. When the two men saw it, they were shocked. When they came home, they told their story, and everyone thought it was very strange.
A few days later a stranger came into the house of the man who owned the wheat. He had only one eye. He was very angry, and he said, "Do you see how you have ruined me". I did not do anything to anybody replied the man. "Oh, but you did" said the stranger. "Do you remember when you were cutting the wheat and you threw up your hook". "I do" said the man. "I threw it up for sport". "Do you see what your hook did to my eye" said the stranger. "I did not mean any harm" said the man. "Never throw a hook or knife like that up again in the air, I will not summons you this time" said the stranger, ''but never do it again". The farmer was very thankful to him.
OLD HOUSES
Written by: Master Kelly.
The dwelling houses of years ago were not all like they are at present. Nearly all were thatched. The chimneys were bad and frequently the smoke could be seen making its escape through the door. Often there was only one door on the house. The windows were small and fixed. The occupants did not seem to value fresh air as the windows did not admit being opened.
In most houses some farm animals, cows, calves and even bulls were kept in the end of the long kitchen. Fowl too were allowed to roost indoors in the kitchen, generally on the left above the farm animals In most houses there was what we might call a bulge on the side wall, this was called a "Presty'' and contained a bed. Outside this bed were hung curtains, so as to screen off the view from the kitchen. Most houses had a half door, this was closed during the day, so as to keep out the fowl or other small troublesome animals. The floors were made of common earthy clay and were often quite damp. On most houses there were two kitchen doors opposite each other on the outer walls, generally the floor space directly between the two rooms was paved with some small stones or sheeted with flags. In almost every townland in the school area there were many such houses of which there is not a trace at present.
In Annagh district adjoining Lough Gara there stood nineteen such houses. In their stead is one farmers house at present (Michael Martin Fordes).