School: Whitecross, Julianstown (roll number 3380)

Location:
Whitecross, Co. Meath
Teacher:
Criostóir Breathnach
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0685, Page 179

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0685, Page 179

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  3. XML “Gallows Hill”

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  1. Gallows Hill was called that name because, at the time when Cromwell was laying siege to Drogheda it happened that Cromwell sent his advance guards to Dardistown, but an Irish Officer named Mr Brown was there before them. He met a girl from Dardistown named Sheila O'Conor on Dardistown Hill. While they were there they heard the noise of the advance guards horses. They both went in Kilsharvan direction and hid behind Kilsharvan cemetery. Cromwell's soldiers came and said they would level it to the ground, so the officer and the girl said they would fight them. The girl took the officer's pistols, and he fought with a sword, and they killed the six men. The officer went home wounded and was tended by a priest. Some short time after some soldiers caught the girl on Gallows Hill and hanged her.
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. agents (~1)
      1. historical persons (~5,068)
        1. Cromwell (~315)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Eileen Boylan
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Rock Bellew, Co. Meath
    Informant
    John Kennedy
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Shallon, Co. Meath