School: Cnoc Breac (roll number 13041)
- Location:
- Knockbrack, Co. Kerry
- Teacher: Séamus Ó Conchubhair
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0450, Page 196
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- XML School: Cnoc Breac
- XML Page 196
- XML “Coitreach na Gruaige”
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- There was a very notable character around this district about forty years ago. He wore his hair in long plats and went by the name of Coitreach na Gruaige. He had no house of his own, but put up at farmers' houses, like the poor scholars of old. He was supposed to have the power of charming rats, and unless he was well treated in every house, he retaliated by sending them a plague of rats, and on account of that he was greatly feared. On one occasion when he put up at a farmers house he was insulted by ramblers. No sooner had he left the house in the morning, than the farmer noticed a band of rats making for the house. At that time the farmer had a lot of pigs, and every time he put out a pot of mess the rats ate it all, so the pigs were starving. Then the farmer had to ask one of Coitreach's friends to get him by means of a bribe to call off the rats, so at last Coitreach consented.
- Collector
- Rory O' Connor
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Knocknagashel, Co. Kerry
