School: Borrisoleigh (roll number 590)
- Location:
- Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary
- Teacher: (name not given)
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0544, Page 221
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- XML “Hugh's Half-Crown”
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- About seventy years ago there lived in this village a wit and practical joker named Hugh Ryan, popularly called Hugh the Nailer. At the same time we had here a policeman named George Milling. George was a bit officious and between him and Hugh there was no love lost.
One calm spring evening just as darkness fell Hugh suddenly came to a halt opposite the policeman's door, stooped, and started to search excitedly in the "channel."
Inside the window, a favourite position of his, stood Milling watching what seemed to him a vain search. After a while he came out and in his best official manner asked, "What are you looking for?" To this, Hugh in a troubled voice answered, "A half-crown, sir." Hearing this the policeman said, "You'll never find it in the dark; I had better get a candle."
In he went, and having procured a short piece of candle, was soon again on the scene. This he lit and held in his hand while Hugh poked here and there among the scattered straws. Soon a small crowd attracted by the light had gathered round.(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Thomas Gleeson
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Knockinure, Co. Tipperary
- Informant
- John Harrington
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 75
- Address
- Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary
