School: Louisburgh (roll number 5128/9)
- Location:
- Louisburgh, Co. Mayo
- Teacher: Thos. J. Morahan
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0137, Page 027
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- (continued from previous page)accompanied by unearthly shrieks and yells converted the peaceful village into pandemonium.
St. Patrick went straight for the fire; as he drew nigh the figures suddenly disappeared and the flames of the fire became more or less subdued. Advancing towards the fire he found that it resembled the fire of a blacksmith's forge it being placed on an elevated hearthstone.On the hearthstone he saw a "chicken", apparently asleep; he called on the "chicken" to arise with no success. He then said:-"If you are asleep, "chicken", awake;
And if you are not asleep, may you never wake".The "chicken", thereupon, stretched its limbs and expired and St. Patrick cast the body into the fire. The stench that arose therefrom almost suffocated people for miles about the place.Later the place was known as Gleann na Boladh.
Thomas J. Morahan
P.S. After the visit of St. Patrick no fire or spirits ever appeared here again.
- Collector
- Thomas J. Morahan
- Gender
- Male
- Informant
- John Ball
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 80
- Address
- Bellakip, Co. Mayo
