School: Inch, Borrisoleigh (roll number 2836)

Location:
Inch, Co. Tipperary
Teacher:
Mrs Delaney
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0550, Page 328

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0550, Page 328

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  1. XML School: Inch, Borrisoleigh
  2. XML Page 328
  3. XML “The Two Hunchbacks”

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  1. About one hundred years ago there lived in the district of Lisaroon two hunchbacks. They did not live together, but there homes were adjacent to one another on the road which runs from Bouladuff cross to the village of Ballycahill. Their names were said to have been Bernard Heffernan and John Leonard.
    The story goes that one night Bernard happened to be out at a late hour and was passing a fort which may still be seen near where his house is supposed to have been. He was attracted by beautiful music, and looking in to the fort, he saw a number of fairies all engaged in singing a song. The song was just a repetition of the words "Sunday and Monday". He stood for a moment, and then began to chime in with them, but added "Tuesday too". The fairies heard him and were delighted with the addition to their song. They called him into their fort and as a reward for his addition to their song, they took the hump off his back. He returned home then in great joy.
    The next morning when John Leonard met him, he was surprised as his friends grand appearance, and inquired of him how did it happen. When he heard the story he decided he also would try his look with the fairies. So he was at the fort that night and sure enough, he soon heard the song. It now ran, "Sunday Monday and Tuesday too".
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Folktales index
    AT0503: The Gifts of the Little People
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Mary Brolan
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Lissaroon, Co. Tipperary