
Seanscéal Grinn
- Language
- Irish
- Collector
- Bríghid Ní Mháille
- Informant
- (name not given)
His secret discovered by his barber. Or he whispers the secret to a reed which repeats it. [IRISH TYPE: An Irish king had horse’s ears and allowed his hair to grow long to cover them. He put those who cut his hair occasionally to death, to preserve his secret. He spared one such boy on condition that he did not reveal what he had seen. The boy, who became ill from worry, was advised to tell the secret to a tree. He did so and regained his health. Later, a fiddle, which was made from the wood of the tree, played only one tune: “Lowry Lynch (Labhraidh Ó Loingsigh) has horse’s ears!” St. Brigid is said to have finally relieved the king of his blemish in return for land for her monastery. NB See Type 775.]
“Bhí rí in Eirinn fad ó shoin ar a dtugtar Labhraigh Luinsigh. Bhí dha chluais capaill ar an rí seo 7 an duine a bhainfeadh an ghruaig dó, chaitfidh an duine sin a chuir chun báis.”
“Once upon a time there was a king who had very queer ears.”
“Once there was a king and he had horses ears.”
“Baile margaidh agus baile phuist 'seadh Átha Í...”
“On the moat of Knockgraffon there used to stand a great castle with square towers.”