School: Garrysallagh

Location:
Garrysallagh (O'Reilly), Co. Cavan
Teacher:
P. Greally
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0989, Page 138

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0989, Page 138

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  3. XML “Stealing Butter”

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  1. Once upon a time in this district there was a man hired in a certain house.
    One night as he was sleeping in the kitchen he found his mistress with a riddle on the floor beside his bed. She sat on the riddle and said "Whilla Billu" Whilla Billu" and when she had the rhyme finished herself and the riddle would go out in the door. In about an hour's time she would come back with a big parcel of butter.
    He used to pretend he was asleep and after a few nights he had the rhyme off. She used not to go everynight but twice a week.
    One night she was not going and his mistress was asleep he thought he would try the trick. He sat on the riddle and when he had the rhyme finished he and the riddle went out in the door. He went round and round in the sir and he
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Vincent O Reilly
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Tullyagan, Co. Cavan
    Informant
    Michael Smyth
    Gender
    Male
    Age
    75
    Address
    Drumroragh, Co. Cavan