School: Toames, Maghcromtha (roll number 15478)

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1. Seán Rua an Ghaorthaidh

   

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   Sean Ruad an Gairaig
   Story by Denis Lane ( Farmer) Mountmusic Toames Macroom ( Age 50)
   Tradition tells us that over two hundred years ago there dwelt a famous rapparee in the banks of the Lee between Macroom and Kilmichael names " Sean Ruad an Gaoreaigh". He was no enemy to the peasantry, but at that time the country was overruled by tyrannical landlords and this man robbed the rich to serve the poor.

   The British military were constantly in search of him but he cleverly evaded capture each time. One night, as he was seated in one of his secret huts in the Gearagh he narrowly escaped being captured, as an armed band of British Military suddenly approached the hut. Sean, however quickly thought of a trick and he seized a wheel that lay in the hut and rolled it down the pathway in front of the house in the direction of the military, who were amazed and stunned for the time being. While they stood gazing at this Dean made his escape by an exit the opposite way and was last sight of in the pathways so well known to "Sean Ruad".
   He was a wonderful shot. For instance when Hedges White the owner of Macroom castle and some of his loyal friends were dining within the castle on a certain night Sean came about mid-night, and discharged a shot from his gun whilst he stood outside the castle and quenched the candle which was lighting near by on the dining table which naturally terrorised them.

   Soon afterwards there was an officer who was a famous

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. agents (~1)
      1. people
         1. robbers (~423)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Denis Lane

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   50

   Address

   Mountmusic, Co. Cork