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School: Borrisoleigh (roll number 590)

Location:
Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary
Teacher:
(name not given)
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0544, Page 167

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0544, Page 167

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  1. The Coming of the Cuckoo

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    Many stories are told about the coming of the cuckoo.
    People say that if you hear the cuckoo over your head the summer will be bad.
    If she is heard on your left side or on your right we will have bad weather.
    When the cuckoo speaks on a tree without leaves, sell your cow and buy wheat; which means that the summer will be wet.
    Some say that if the cuckoo is heard early in the year the hearers will die young but on the other hand it is said the hearers will live to a very old age.
    The first time you hear the cuckoo keep your right foot still for a while, then raise it, and if you find a black hair you will die young; but if hear her on your right and find a grey one you will live to be old.

    Michael Prior
    St. Brigids Terrace,
    January, 1938

    Told by
    John Prior
    (Aged 60 years)
    St Brigid's Terrace,
    Borrisoleigh.
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    History Edit
    Topics
    1. agents (~1)
      1. animal-lore (~1,185)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Michael Prior
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary
    Informant
    John Prior
    Gender
    Male
    Age
    60
    Address
    Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary