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School: Ballycastle Boys' (roll number 14290)

Location:
Ballycastle, Co. Mayo
Teacher:
Mícheál de Búrca
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0140, Page 166

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0140, Page 166

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  3. XML “Care of Farm Animals”

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  1. Care of Farm Animals

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    Branches of Rowan trees with the berries were hung in cowhouses long ago to charm the cows so that the butter would be a deep yellow. In milking, cows are spoken to in a kind tone, and even some sing for them. There were special Irish words which the old people thought cows understood.
    And on finishing a finger was dipped in the froth and a cross made on the cows flank.
    A hazel rod is the lucky rod with which to drive cattle and on no account would a tweig off Elder bush be used as the bad fairies shelter under it.
    It was noticed long ago that any person milking was immune to small pox which was one time
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    History Edit
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. economic activities
        1. agriculture (~2,659)
          1. animal husbandry (~2,587)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Dan Lenihan
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Ballycastle, Co. Mayo
    Informant
    Mrs Polke
    Gender
    Female
    Age
    63
    Address
    Ballinglen, Co. Mayo