School: Ballycanew (Mixed) (roll number 15420/15430)

Location:
Ballycanew, Co. Wexford
Teacher:
Conchubhar Ua Maoláin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0889, Page 178

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0889, Page 178

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    Mr Whelan told me that the people of Tomsilla and Banogue were extremely superstitions chiefly about ghosts.

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    178
    a kind of ladder and on top were stems of other branches which grew in such a way as to form a kind of bed with the benches at one end slightly raised in imitation of a pillow.
    On some of these trees ghosts were often seen, and it was only a very brave man who would travel the lane through those woods at night. Very unusual noises were heard in the district at night and many cattle were lost through "Fairy Strokes".
    There lived in this district a man who was known as the cattle doctor. It was said that he got the cure from the fairies. According to Mr. Whelan there grew at one time a clump of whitethorn bushes, very big ones, and through them ran a small ravine dry in summer but swollen after rain. Over this ravine were strong horizontal branches on which a man was often seen about midnight. These plants were later cut down and of course young sprouts grew up.
    Four years ago, I explored the place and discovered something I
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Language
    English
    Informant
    Thomas Whelan
    Gender
    Male
    Age
    c. 40
    Occupation
    Manager