School: Cluaineach (C.) (roll number 11774)

Location:
Coolrawer, Co. Sligo
Teacher:
Bean Uí Chlaimhín
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0170, Page 0374

Archival Reference

The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0170, Page 0374

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  1. An old man and a witch were mowing long ago. The witch used to shout when she was almost gaining on the Irishman "Fear Maith le faobhar géar a bhaineas féar a chaillighe". When she went home to her dinner, he examined the blade of the scythe and he found a bee in the hollow of the "Doirnín."
    The Irishman let the bee go, and when the witch came back she couldn't mow very well, as the charm was gone from the scythe. When he was gaining on her, it was then his turn to shout "Fear maith le faobhar géar, a bhaineas féar a chaillighe." The Irishman was mowing at such speed, that he chopped the legs off the witch. She couldn't work quickly when the witchery was gone from the "doirnín"
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Folktales index
    AT0820: The Devil as Substitute for Day Labourer at Mowing
    AT1090: Mowing Contest
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Vera M. Jennings
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Cully, Co. Sligo
    Informant
    Mr Joe Fleming
    Gender
    Male
    Age
    67
    Address
    Cully, Co. Sligo