Hedge Schools
In the townland of Commons South there was a hedge school taught by Mr. John Beaty. He also taught one in Dromoher. He was a very good teacher and was very interested in his pupils. If any of the children missed their lessons he would punish them with the jaw bone of an ass. He built his own house and taught there. He looks as a regular fortress. He taught night school there.
Before he would let the boy home he would tell them to bring their camans to school next day. When they would arrive with the camans he would (he) take them off them to boil his supper.
One night when the men came he had his supper down in a pot. One of the men had with him a dog which would jump over a stick. One man held his stick near the pot and the dog when jumping over it, he jumped into the pot.
Collected by: - Máire Ní Dhiolúin, Crossard.
Told by: - Martin McMahon, Crossard. (her grandfather)
(66 years)
