School: Taobh Breac (roll number 15227)

Location:
Tievebrack, Co. Donegal
Teacher:
Donnchadh E. Mac Congáile
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1098, Page 118

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1098, Page 118

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  1. XML School: Taobh Breac
  2. XML Page 118
  3. XML “Strays”
  4. XML “Miss Annie Callaghan and Tobar Avog's Gentle Place”
  5. XML “Spirits on the Road - Looking Between the Horse's Ears”

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  1. A horseman, returning home in the direction of the Milltown Bridge above the Crossroads, was surprised by the horse stopping. This was after midnight. He “looked between the horse’s ears” and perceived a huge black cat on the road in front of the horse. He tried to frighten the cat but failed. He blessed himself, dismounted and killed the cat. During its dying struggle, the cat spoke to the man saying “when you go home, tell your family that you killed the king of the crows and cats.” Saying this it disappeared The man arrived him without further incident, but not till the following day did he do what the cat had told him. Immediately he had told what happened, his own two cats attacked him, and in spite of the effort of his family to save him, did the cats desist until they had torn his eyes out.
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Donnachadh E. Mac Congáile
    Gender
    Male
    Occupation
    Múinteoir