School: Teamhair, Áth Treasna
- Location:
- Taur, Co. Cork
- Teacher: Dd. Ó Súillleabháin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0351, Page 459
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- About eighty years ago, a very strong man, named
Seán Burns lived near Duagh in Co. Kerry, not far from
the border line of Co. Cork and Co. Limerick. He was noted
for his feats of strength.
It is said "He was travelling, one day, through the
country and went into a forge, where he was not known.
When the smith turned to the fire, to take out a red hot
iron, this man caught the anvil by the horn with one
hand, and held it behind his back. When the smith
turned around, the anvil was missing, and he was
amazed to see this man holding the anvil with one
hand behind his back. The smith said "you must be
the devil or Seán Burns from Duagh" Sean "said I am
that very man"
- Collector
- Nora M. Reidy
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- Pleasure Hill, Co. Cork
- "another version"
Seán Burns, lived between Rockchapel and Abbeyfeale, he
was a very srong man. It is said "whenever he visited
the local forge at Taur, Newmarket Co Cork. He lifted
the anvil, weighing 2½ cwts, with one hand, above his head.
This feat was witnessed by the local blacksmith, now
deceased and other residents of Taur.
On another occasion, while Seán was engaged carting
a load of stones from Rockchapel to Newmarket, the horse(continues on next page)
