School: Clonfinlough, Athlone

Location:
Clonfinlough, Co. Offaly
Teacher:
E. Ní Mhionacháin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0812, Page 357

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0812, Page 357

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  1. XML School: Clonfinlough, Athlone
  2. XML Page 357
  3. XML “Will-O'-The-Wisp”

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  1. Once upon a time there was a blacksmith named Willie living in Clonasera near Shannon and the ruins of his house are still to be seen there. He was a very good Catholic and he was very rich but as time went on he began to get poor and he also began to lose his faith, so he said to himself" O if only I could get money I would sell myself to the devil or anyone else". Accordingly one day the devil came in and said he would give him a purse which would always contain a half crown for twenty years and at the end of this time he would call for him and he said he would have to go with him then. the man agreed and the devil went away, but twenty years were not long passing and after this time the devil came and said he would have to go with him. The man said "all right" and they started on their journey. The devil said he was very dry and he had better have a drink
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. agents (~1)
      1. supernatural and legendary beings (~14,864)
        1. Will-o’-the-wisp (~74)
    Folktales index
    AT0330A: The Smith and the Devil (Death)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Rosie Corrigan
    Gender
    Female
    Age
    13
    Address
    Clonfinlough, Co. Offaly
    Informant
    Mick Kelly
    Relation
    Grandparent
    Gender
    Male
    Age
    85
    Address
    Carrowkeel, Co. Offaly