School: Séipéal na Carraige (roll number 5478)
- Location:
- Rockchapel, Co. Cork
- Teacher: Donncha Ó Géibheannaigh
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0351, Page 188
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- Years ago an old woman used to stay at our house for a night at the time.
She was a big strong, able woman and always very clean. She usually wore a plaid shawl and a very small on tied round her head. She was very cross and if you didn't get what she wanted, as quick you to, she would give you a slap of the big stick she always carried. For this reason, she was called " Biddy the Stick." The children were more afraid of her, than they were of their own parents and would not dream of refusing to do, anything she asked them to do.
She had a donkey and car and a large box, in which she carried, pins, needles, reels, of cotton, lace etc. These articles she sold to the people, she was supposed to get them in Tralee. She was careful of the donkey and called him "Neddy" My father always housed the donkey in the stable, gave him plenty of hay and a feed of oats, which he showed to Biddy night and morning. No child would go near "Neddy" for he would kick the brains out of them.
She had her bed in the corner, near the fire and was always very welcome, as she travelled all over the country and had the latest news. It was hard to get news then, as no papers reached this part of the(continues on next page)
- Collector
- John Murphy
- Gender
- Male
- Informant
- Michael Murphy
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Glenacarney, Co. Cork
