School: Bun Machan

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1. An tÚll as Gairdín na Ríochta (continued)

   

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   to health and strength is an apple from Gáirdín na Ríoghachta. The young men were glad and there and then they made a firm resolve that, cost what it might in toil and hardship, this wonderful fruit should be procured. They sat long into the night consulting as to what course to pursue, and finally decided that the eldest son should go forth at dawn on his perilous journey, but that if he did not return within a stated time, the second brother should set out after him, and if they did not return the youngest should then try his luck. At break of day the eldest son, carrying a little stock of provisions, bade his father and brothers a fond farewell, and, vowing that he would not return without the object of his search, set out upon his journey. By evening he was many, many miles from home and he was footsore and weary; he seated himself by the bank of a stream, and, opening his pack, he began to eat. At that moment a bird resembling a large crow flew down from a tree and perched beside him as if he wanted part of the food. Next moment there appeared, though the young man had not seen him coming, a lean and hungry-looking dog which whined and looked pitifully up into the young man's face as if begging for a crust. Then a little robin hopped fearlessly upon the wanderer's knee expecting a few crumbs. But the young man took no notice of the poor creatures; he went on contentedly with his meal and threw neither crust not crumb to bird or beast. Having finished his meal, he took a long drink at the stream

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Folktales index

   AT0550: Search for the Golden Bird

   Languages

   Irish

   English

   Collector

   Bean Uí Chobhthaigh

   Gender

   Female

   Occupation

   Príomhoide

   Informant

   Mairéad Ní Bharúin

   Other names

   Mairéad Ní Bharúin

   Peggí Róidí (local name)

   Gender

   Female

   Age

   65

   Address

   Ringville, Co. Waterford

   Informant

   Mícheál Ó Cobhaigh

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   54