School: Cill Thiomáin, Durrus, Bantry (roll number 15989)

Location:
Kilcomane, Co. Cork
Teacher:
Máiréad Ní Mhathúna
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0288, Page 085

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0288, Page 085

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  1. XML School: Cill Thiomáin, Durrus, Bantry
  2. XML Page 085
  3. XML “Bewitched Butter”

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  1. (continued from previous page)
    crawl about on their pasture: many of them instead of milk, gave nothing but blood: and the scanty quantity of milk which some of them continued to supply was so bitter that even the pigs would not drink it: whilst the butter which it produced was of suck a bad quality and smelt so offensively that the very dogs would not eat it.
    Bryan applied for remedies to all the fairy women in the country but in vain.
    The poor farmer became almost distraced he saw ruin staring him in the face; yet what was he to do? affairs continued in this way, when one evening in the latter days of July, Bryan Costigan's wife was sitting at her own door, spinning at her wheel, in a very gloomy state of mind.
    Happening to look down the boreen she saw a little old woman barefoot, dressed in an old scarled cloak approaching slowly with the aid of a crutch and a cane in her hand. As she entered she said God Bless this good house. The woman of the house said God save you kindly you are welcome.
    "Mrs I am dry with the of the day could you give me a drink"
    "I am sorry I have no drink to give you but water."
    She asked her was she the owner of the cows. Mrs. Costigan said she was, she then asked for some of the milk she gave her a jar of it. She tasted it and spit
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. economic activities
        1. agriculture (~2,659)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Bridie Kennedy
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Lissacaha, Co. Cork