School: Garrowhill, Longford (roll number 10344)

On this page

1. Went a Furze-Smashing (continued)

   

   Share Share Post

   (continued from previous page)

   The step continued on its course, and passed between my feet. I turned and went after it striking at the stepper's track like a wild man, but could see no human form. This continued back the road for about thirty yards. It then turned into a big lone furze bush on the hedgeless bank by the road. I followed it in hot pursuit, and I beat the furze bush until I had cut it to pieces.
   I then stepped back to the road, covered in perspiration, and strange to say feeling happy and undaunted. I actually laughed at the battered state of the furze bush, and I continued on my journey homewards with as little thought of fear as if it were the middle of the day.
   I was never timorous at night after that incident.
   To return to my story. Next day was Sunday. The place where I had fought the spirit was on my way to the chapel, and I longed to reach it, so I surely was not late for Mass on that day. I saw the marks of the blackthorn stick in the road; the furze bush was in smithereens and only a stump of it remained standing.
   The above happened on a bog road that runs by a lake in the townland of Gubagraphy, Dromed Co. Leitrim in January 1900.

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   P. Mc Guinness

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Garrowhill, Co. Longford