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The Schools’ Collection

This is a collection of folklore compiled by schoolchildren in Ireland in the 1930s. More information

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  1. (no title)

    “The following facts and details were given me, some by canon Justice and some by Mrs John Boyers...”

    CBÉS 0768

    Page 128

    to the North of the Rectory where Canon Justice resides at present. I should say it is 50 yards from the back of his house. It is of course a ruins, but it breathes history and mystery. There can be little doubt that the ruins are of a very ancient structure. Archaeologists who have come to see it have agreed that it is of Danish origin. Its name Templemichael shows the name of the saint to whom it was dedicated. It has given its name to this parish. I live in Longford town but in the Parish of Templemichael. There is also no doubt but that Templemichael Abbey is connected with Longford by a built underground passage. Anyone can explore this passage even to this day. The entrance at Longford is down at the riverside and the other is of course at Templemichael.
    This passage was used secretly by priests and nuns during penal times and, I have no doubt earlier

  2. Local Belief and Customs - Tobar Micheal

    CBÉS 0640

    Page 45

    In Templemichael Youghal in field near graveyard under an ash tree. People used give rounds on Michaelmas day and hang rags on tree.

  3. Ghost Story

    CBÉS 0640

    Page 350

    Templemichael Castle is situated on the right bank of the River Blackwater about five miles from Youghal. The Fitzgeralds lived there and it is said that thirteen families of them lived in succession there.
    The last of them was Garrett Fitzgerald. When this man died he was buried in Templemichael but the next of his family had been buried in Ardmore.
    The third night after his funeral his ghost came down to the water's edge and cried "Garret Arún". The cry continued for a few nights till at last word was sent to his cousins in Ardmore. On the following day his cousin and two men from Ardsallagh (one was my father's grandfather) went over to Templemichael graveyard and dug up his coffin and buried it in Ardmore.
    The cry was never heard after that.

  4. My Local Patron Saint

    CBÉS 0522

    Page 199

    The Local Patron Saint.
    Saint Laurence is the saint traditionally connected with this district. He was born in Luddenbeg not far from Inch St. Laurence. Luddenbeg is situated South West of Caherconlish. He was buried in the graveyard in Inch. St Laurence. There is a Church and holy well dedicated to his honour. Saint Laurence never built anything around the district. Mount Laurence - a district near the Church is called after the saint.
    There is another Saint called St. Martain, connected with this district. There is a well called after him in Templemichael, which isn't far from Caherconlish. There was a white man seen at St. Martain's well. St Martain lived a hermit's life in that lonely place. In this district of Templemichael there are many people called after him.

  5. The Local Graveyards

    CBÉS 0637

    Page 337

    There are three different graveyards in this locality. The Kilwatermoy graveyard is in the parish of Kilwatermoy. The Kilcockin graveyard is in the parish of Knockanore and the Templemichael graveyard is in the parish of Glendine near Youghal.
    Kilwatermoy cemetery is a circular one and is surrounded by a wall. There are a few trees planted here and there in it. Somes of those mark the graves. Other have tomb stones with their names inscribed so that each one will know their own burial ground. There is an old ruin in the centre of this graveyard where non-catholics were buried. The Parkers of Ballyhamlet and some of their relations were buried in this ruin.
    The Templemichael graveyard is a square one. There is a wall surrounding it and

  6. Mystery About the Shifting of a Cock of Hay

    CBÉS 0756

    Page 410

    Bernard McAvey of the townland of Derryharrow, and parish of Templemichael worked for Mr. Shevlin, deceased of the townland of Lisbrack and parish of Templemichael.
    On Mr Shevlin's land there is an old circular fort, and in the fort an enormous flat stone.
    The fort and the field that surrounded it were usually in pasture, but one year at least it was in meadow.
    When reaving the hay in August Bernard McAvey built a cock of hay on the flag in the fort, but

  7. (no title)

    “The following facts and details were given me, some by canon Justice and some by Mrs John Boyers...”

    CBÉS 0768

    Page 130

    could collect about this town. There are no other ancient buildings (by ancient I mean, says building of 300 years)
    Perhaps it would be of some small interest to point out that the place in Longford called the Mall is merely a perfectly straight pathway 3 feet or a little more wide, which runs from the back of St Johns (Protestant) Church direct to Templemichael. The Mall is not however of ancient origin. It must have been made some time later than the date upon which Templemichael Rectory was completed. It was found that the Rector had to come through the district and most disreputable, though oldest part of Longford on his way in to service furthermore this way was a big round. The Mall was therefore constructed for the convenience of the minister passing between his house and church. Canon

  8. (no title)

    “The following facts and details were given me, some by canon Justice and some by Mrs John Boyers...”

    CBÉS 0768

    Page 127

    for taking prisoners to the courthouse in secret because the authorities were reluctant to expose themselves with, say, a political prisoner to an hostile mob.
    The castle itself is an interesting old building. It looks to be by far the most ancient in Longford. It is inhabited at present by a lonely old woman Miss Gregoire a French woman naturalised. This castle has certainly been in existence for 300 years because it is a historical fact that it figured in the rebellion of 1641. I did my best to find some facts about its foundation and the name of its early inhabitants but I cannot find anything worth noting about it. It's origin seems to be a mystery here. I expect however that it belonged originally to the O'Farrells, and that it is from it that Longford got its name.
    By far the most interesting building about Longford is Templemichael. Templemichael is to be found slightly

  9. The Blackbird of the Mass Rock

    CBÉS 0320

    Page 060

    glen is known as the Fossig. It is told that in very ancient times a church stood here but the building was taken by angels and set up at Templemichael. A large stone in the stream bears an impression like finger marks.
    They say that this stone fell from the hands of the angels as they passed on their way to Templemichael.
    Scattered around among the bushes are seven old gravestones and a holy water font. There is a holy well in this glen.
    A farmer named Roycroft took home a stone belonging to this well although old residents advised against such an act. That night while he lay in bed he heard terrific commotion around the house and invisible hands continued to pull and drag him around the bed so that he could not sleep a wink. Instead of taking back the stone next day he tried to laugh at what had happened on the previous night. But even worse confusion upset him on the second night and when day broke Roycroft hurried back with the stone. He heard no more noise. Roycroft is no longer in the place. It is believed that during the Peanal Days Mass was celebrated in

  10. The Use of the Spinning Wheel

    CBÉS 0382

    Page 087

    About 35 years ago the Irish woman made their own thread for knitting. First of all the wool was shorn off the sheep, then it was sent to the mills to be carded, there had been one for that purpose at Templemichael. When the wool was carded it was taken home to be spun. The spinning wheel was of very

  11. Old Customs

    CBÉS 0560

    Page 050

    In the olden times on St. Bridgids night the people would put out a ribbon and St. Bridgid would come and bless the ribbon everyone that would have a pain in his head would cure them. If they put the ribbon on their heads. It would cure them. There is a statue of St. Bridgid and St. Patrick in Windgap. There is a stone in Templemichael. It is said Our Lord knelt on it and the mark is still seen on the stone.

  12. Local Belief and Customs - Michaelmas Day

    CBÉS 0640

    Page 41

    This was the pattern day in Templemichael Parish (now Glendine) in Waterford Diocese. General Holiday in parish. Working men used get tea for breakfast. Butter used be given away free to poor people. Great day in Glendine, big crowds, every one having new clothes. Several tents, people selling drink (after singing while Mass was going on ) sweets, cakes and several other things. Two Masses were said.

  13. (no title)

    “A story is told that as one of the Geraldines lay dying, he expressed a wish that he should be buried within shelter of the castle walls.”

    CBÉS 0640

    Page 2

    A story is told that as one of the Geraldines lay dying, he expressed a wish that he should be buried within shelter of the castle walls. Contrary to his wish, he was buried away from Templemichael up the River Blackwater. Some nights after the funeral a ghostly processing descended the river at midnight, hearing his procession and he was buried by ghostly hands in his wished for resting place.

  14. Béaloideas on Old Castles

    CBÉS 0641

    Page 55

    The nearest castle to this district is Strancally Castle. It is on the banks of the Blackwater opposite to Coolbagh. It is built on the ledge of a rock. It is a very old ruin and all the walls are covered with ivy. There is another old ruin down the Blackwater called Templemichael. It was once a monastery and many people visited it.

  15. A Ghost Story

    CBÉS 0852

    Page 154

    out by where this ghost is. She comes down again and breaks out at Walsh's bush on the Frankford road and down through Clerys, east of Davis's Cover and east of O'Neill's in Kiltrascey. Then the banshee breaks out on the road a Castlejohn and follows the road into Templemichael.

  16. A Ghost Story

    CBÉS 0851

    Page 237

    road. Fr. Purcell was not able to go home that night. He spent the day reading until he got to remove her. She is between the Grotto and the wall of Butlerswood yet. The Banshee has a path. She goes up the Chapel yard, up through the Grotto, and out by where this ghost is. She comes down again and breaks out at Walsh's bush on the Frankford road and down through Clerys, east of Davis's Covert and east of O'Neills in Kiltrassey. Then the banshee breaks out on the road at Castlejohn and follows the road into Templemichael.

  17. A Feat of Strength

    CBÉS 0382

    Page 034

    About six years ago a man died named Jim Manning and he was a very strong man. He lived in Templemichael which is about six mile's from the Village of Watergrasshill on the Cork side.
    Now this man lived in an old house all alone and he had a farm of land but he did not work on it in his old age, only let cattle and pig's graze on it. He had[?] a lot of money and he kept it carefully. Before he died he buried all the money that he had in some place in the farm and it was never found afterwards.
    The people that knew him when he a young, talk about his great strength yet. He used to carry the plough across the field's to the forge or any other heavy article which he used to carry there. Then he put a stone across a gap unaided and it took four men to take it away afterwards.

  18. Exploits of the Brickalock

    CBÉS 0382

    Page 475

    threw their money on the ground and went on their way.
    Hearing a tailor who lived at Knockraha had boasted that he would catch him in a fair run, he told a friend of his who lived in Dunbollogue to send for the tailor to make some clothes at her house in order that he might meet him there and have a trial of speed with him. He came to the house where the tailor was at work and walked in carelessly. He turned his back to the hearth and viewed the tailor from head to foot. The tailor was a well built man and very swift and agile. Having entered into conversation with the tailor he told him that he heard he had a great run. The tailor with a smile said he had. I thought that you boasted that you could run with the Brichalock. I am the man, and I insist on you running with me from Templemichael to Dunbollogue Church. I will give you nine paces at the start and you are on no account to stop until you reach the church and taking a prayerbook from his pocket said I swear by this that if I see you slacken your pace in the least with a view to deceive me until

  19. Exploits of the Brickalock - Life and Adventures of Dermot Buckley

    CBÉS 0382

    Page 507

    Hearing of a tailor who lived in Knockraha had boasted that he would catch him in a fair run he told a friend of his who lived in Dunbollogue to send for the tailor to make some clothes at her house in order that he might meet him there and have a trial of speed with him. Next morning he came to the house where the tailor was at work, walked carelessly in, turned his back to the hearth, and viewed the tailor from head to foot. The tailor was a very well built man, and excedingly swift and agile.
    Having intered into conversation with the tailor he told him that he heard he had a great run. The tailor with a smile said he had, I thought that you boasted you could run with the Brickalock I am the man, and I insists on you running with me from Templemichael to Dunbollogue Church. I will give you nine paces at starting and you are not on no account to stop until you reach the church, and taking

  20. Strange Animals

    CBÉS 0522

    Page 225

    A strange animal that is very much connected with my district is a big dog. This dog was seen at a cross-roads leading to Newtown from Caherconlish. It was seen by a man coming home about one o'clock. The man threw a stone at the dog and the dog never stirred but grew very big. A dog was seen at Newtown quarry by a couple of people. The dog stood across the people's path and prevented them from passing. While a person was thus situated he could see several horrid things.
    One day as men were fishing they saw a sea-horse on the bank of the river. He was the very same as a batty pony.
    Many strange animals such as cats, dogs, foxes, and cattle have been seen in forts guarding treasure in Templemichael. Three men dreamt that they would get a hoard of gold buried in the ground. They went to get it but were attached by a fierce bull who ran