School: Damastown (roll number 12327)

Location:: Damastown, Co. Dublin
Teacher:: Delia Wilson

Filter stories

Person Language

Back / 326 Forward

Resolution: Low | High

Travelling Folk (continued)

(continued from previous page)

the 'tinkers' attended his funeral.
There was a travelling painter named Billly Tumley who used to go round this district decorating houses. He died recently but his wife Judy and three children-one boy and two girls still live.

Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
History | Edit »

Travelling Folk

The Coffeys were the most famous band of tinkers about Kerry. They usually came to my native place Killorglin during August for the pattern which is always known as 'Puck Fair'. Their leader was Danny Coffey who was the oftenest seen as he was always, 'hanging about' tormenting people looking for drink. He always went about from house to house looking for umbrellas to mend and never returned them.
There was a very old man who used to come about fixing clocks. He was known as 'The man who fixes the clocks'. He was always welcome.

(continues on next page)