School: Granagh (C.), Brúgh Ríogh (roll number 9928)
- Location:
- Granagh, Co. Limerick
- Teacher: Máire Ní Leidhin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0499, Page 225
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- XML “Bird-Lore”
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- Magpie are considered unlucky birds, but the number seen together make a difference. One for sorrow
Two for mirth
Three for a funeral
Four for a birth
Five for a wedding
And six for a hearse
The raven too is considered unlucky. Old people used to say that ravens were witches.
When "The Black Raven" was seen hovering over a place, disaster was sure to come to it.
The robin is considered to be a Holy Bird. Even wicked boys would not keep a robin or rob his nest. If they did they would feel a lump in their hand, from which they would die.
The red breast of the robin was supposed to come from the Blood of Our Blessed Lord, for she attempted to draw the thorns from Our Lord's head while he was hanging on the cross and so got drops of blood on to her breast.
