School: Cnoc Bríde (1)
- Location:
- Knockbride, Co. Cavan
- Teacher: (name not given)
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1015, Page 215
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- (continued from previous page)lived on mountain land were allowed to remain. The new owner without any hesitation commanded some labourers, who lived in the district to assist at his building, and amongst them was the only son of a widow - a lad of twelve years - and whose father had been killed in "the war." There was an order given that no person should interfere with the newly planted trees, but the boy being put to work with a lazy ass unthinkingly pulled one of the forbidden twigs. The act was detected by a guard in Hamilton's employ and the youngster was brought before the lord of the manor.
The charge of pulling the twig was proved and the poor fellow was sentenced to be hanged on the spot. Appeals for mercy were of no effect and in a few minutes the dead body of the boy was hanging from a tree in front of the house. His mother, on hearing the news some hours afterwards, came to the spot, and in Irish cursed the murderers of her son. The now decayed tree, upon which the dreadful deep was perpetrated is still pointed out. It has been said that the woman prayed, that no heir might ever be born to the estate, and that no lark might ever sing over the demense. In any case, no heir has ever(continues on next page)
