School: Gortnacart (roll number 15554)

Location:
Gortnacart Glebe, Co. Donegal
Teacher:
León Ó hÚallaigh
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1042, Page 10

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1042, Page 10

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  3. XML “The Three Saints”

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  1. On the roadside between Ardara and Glenties there is a townland called the Mines, because there were old silver mines long ago, from which an inferior kind of metal was obtained.
    In this townland there lived these saints according to the old Seanchuidhthe and the names were Cilla Ríagain. Cilla Carta and Cille Tevogue. The arranged between them that they would start on a journey each with a cross, and in different directions, and now and again each was to place his cross on the ground and if it remained stationary and without falling, there in that place he was to proceed with the building of a church.
    Now Cille Riagain did not go far until his cross stood steady for him. It was in a field on the roadside between Ardara and Glenties. In this field there was a church long ago and there still remains a burial ground in the same place and is in uses still for burials of different religions. Hence the townland has ever since been called Cille Riagain in Irish or Kilraine in English.
    Now Cille Carta was not so lucky he kept walking and placing the cross on the ground and it did not remain until he reached the present village of Kilcar without standing. There he built his church which still remains and is in use still and the village is called Kilcar in English or Cille Cartha in Irish.
    The saint which sit out on the other journey was also very unlucky, because he walked until he came
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Language
    English
    Informant
    Joseph Kennedy
    Gender
    Male
    Age
    50
    Occupation
    Farmer
    Address
    Kilrean Lower, Co. Donegal