School: Cloneygall

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1. The Spy Bush

   

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   At a double turn a "S" bend in an old laneway about half-a-mile due west of the village of Clonegal there still stands a large holly bush known as the "Spy-Bush". Tradition has it that the local insurgents used to exert here during the troublous times of 98, as the spot was ideally sheltered for such meetings, and gave every facility for retreat in case of surprise by De Renzy's yeomen, as there was a pathway leading therefrom across the river Derry into the county Wexford and another to a ford across the river Slaney. Unfortunately the"cover" thus afforded the rebels was equally useful to facilitate a traitor, and the story relates that for some time such a traitor used to hide in the spy bush referred to, and transmitted to the Yeos of De Renzy the plans of the insurgents. Suspicion was aroused and a trap laid for the spy. He was caught neatly hidden in the

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. time
      1. historical periods by name (~25)
         1. 1798 (~642)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Michéal Ó Dubhghaill

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   60

   Occupation

   Feirmeoir

   Address

   Ballyshonock, Co. Wexford