School: Baile Uí Mhurchadha, Borris

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1. The Enchanted Well

   

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   There was a King in Ireland one time, and he had a beautiful well in his courtyard. It was believed that there was a cure in its water so the people from far and near used to draw water from it. The King got afraid that the well would go dry after some time, so he built a high wall around it, and put a door in it and locked it. One night he gave a great banquet, and there was one prince in it that danced with the Kings daughter. When they were at supper the prince sat beside her also. Everything was on the table except water. The King told his daughter to go to the well and bring in some water. She hung her head and did not go. Then the King said I suppose she is afraid to go alone I suppose the young prince will go along with her. The prince got up from the table and took the girl by the arm and the two set out for the well. When they came to the well the princess unlocked the door and bent down to get the water and she lost her balance and fell into the water. The prince ran back to the palace to tell the King but the water was back before him and it filled up the whole palace but the people were not drowned. The people that is living near the Lough say that there

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Mary Doran

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Ballybrack, Co. Carlow