School: Cortown (roll number 3113)

Location:
Cortown, Co. Meath
Teacher:
Peadar Mac Gabhann
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0701, Page 069

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0701, Page 069

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  1. XML School: Cortown
  2. XML Page 069
  3. XML “A Fairy Story”

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  1. Once upon a time there was a lot of men working in a field. They were digging potatoes. They were waiting to cover their potatoes. There was one man who had not his potatoes covered and it got dark. All the other men was gone home and the fairies came and took the man. His people were out all night with lanterns searching for him and they could not find him. It was Hallow Eve.
    Then the next year at the same time the men were digging their potatoes. The man came to them and told them how he could be released. The fairies would be out hunting on horse back and he would be riding in front of them. All the other men were to be each side of a certain gap. They were all to throw balls of cowdung at him.
    Just then, they were all coming to the gap their hands all fell down by their sides and they were not able to lift them. So the man gave one long look at them. Then the neighbours could all hear the fairies beating him with there whips a few fields away. He was never seen any more. This is a true story.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. agents (~1)
      1. supernatural and legendary beings (~14,864)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Peggy Brady
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Cookstown Great, Co. Meath
    Informant
    Mrs P. Brady
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Cookstown Great, Co. Meath