School: Mághthobair (Mohober), Dúrlas Éile (roll number 7048)

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1. Old Crafts - Carmen in Olden Times (continued)

   

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   Matt Power tells another tale of his adventures. At that time there were bands of robbers going around and especially around Christmastime. It was the custom of Power and his companions to draw their coal to Cashel on Christmas Eve and sell it to the town people early in the morning. Power had a brother in law known as Johnnie St. John who was another carman and had constant employment delivering coal to the Brewery in Rathdowney. He was a great comic and Power pressed on him to come to Cashel that day saying they would have a holiday. They finally settled to go there. They reached Cashel that Christmas Eve morning at day-break and sold their loads early. Then they put up their horses and fed them and they said that they would be home early. The time passed on as they listened to the sayings of St. John. The night fell before they left Cashel and they came home the shortest but most dangerous road. From Cashel to Ballinure was known for these robbers and that was the road they came. They knew no danger and as usual Burke was leading. He was a powerful strong man and feared no foe. At a lonely place not far from Cashel they were attacked. The attackers were strong and large in number. The first they attacked was Burke who was beating them fearlessly when his comrades came up. They quickly went to his assistance and a great fight took place. Burke had received some head wounds from one of his assailants and when the fight was over they were all covered with blood but they defeated the robbers. The witty St. John knew Burke was a great fighter and ran to him with a shovel. They were all blood and battered but they won the battle and saved their goods and arrived home at four o'clock on Christmas

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Mary Power

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Ballaghboy, Co. Tipperary

   Informant

   Mr Matthew Power

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   55

   Address

   Ballaghboy, Co. Tipperary