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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. Local Roads

    CBÉS 0525

    Page 149

    The roads in this district are the Dooneen which runs past this school, the Patrick's Well road which bounds it on the North connecting it with Patrick's Well and the road which runs due South known as the Manister road. The Kilpeacon road runs East from Crecora while the Croom road runs West. Kilpeacon road is known by this name because it runs through the townland of Kilpeacon, connecting the crossroads of Kilpeacon and Crecora. The Dooneen road passes by Crecora and Dooneen and joins the main Cork to Limerick road about 3 miles South of Limerick city. At the Dooneen Railway gates a little road adjoins the Dooneen road and passes along by Lisanalty. In former times the road led in a more direct route but now it has fallen into disuse.
    On the Patrick's Well road opposite the gateway to Crecora graveyard we may see an old boreen which was used

  2. Old Graveyards

    CBÉS 0526

    Page 049

    There are four graveyards in this parish one at Crecora, Lemonfield, Killonahan and Boultar.
    The land in Crecora slopes to the east, while in Killonahan and Coultar it slopes to the north.
    There is one very old vault in Crecora known as the McMurroughs vault. Mc Murroughs wife had died and was buried in Crecora. After her death McMurrough erected a vault over her grave. When himself died he was also buried in vault. Since then he is referred to as "the man who built his own vault".

  3. Local Traditions - Historical and Otherwise

    CBÉS 0506

    Page 721

    They say that the flag over Scanlan's grave in Crecora churchyard is always wet. You couldn't keep the wall up (that is erect, standing) beside it. The flag itself fell long ago (Scanlan hanged for murder of Colleen Ban is believed to be buried in Crecora graveyard. His mother lived in Ballycahane castle in the immediate vicinity.)

  4. Graveyards in the District

    CBÉS 0525

    Page 147

    There are four graveyards in this district, Killonahan, Crecora, Coultar and Lemonfield.
    The graveyards at Crecora and Lemonfield slope East and West while Coultar and Killonahan slope to the North. There are only a few bushes growing in Crecora graveyard but in the North-Western corner there is a little grove. Trees and bushes grow in this and it is enclosed by a wall.
    In the centre of the graveyard are the ruins of an old Abbey in which mass was celebrated in ancient times. There are graves within the walls of the ruined Abbey.
    There are vaults in Crecora graveyard and on the door of one of them is inscribed the name Mac Murray. Mac Murray is referred to "as the man who built his own vault" for when his wife died, he erected a vault over her grave and he himself was later buried there. There is a story of a black dog being seen jumping from the style opposite the vault and running along the road

  5. The Haunted House

    CBÉS 0525

    Page 153

    Not only has Crecora a "burned house" but it has also a "haunted house" which is situated in the townland of Cloughacloka about half way between Crecora Church and Dooneen Railway gates, on the left hand side of the road. About 100 years ago, a Parish Priest of Crecora set about erecting a residence, and having secured a site at Cloughacloka he sent his men to dig the foundation. It happened that a fort was situated in front of the house, and the priest, thinking that it would not add to the appearance, ordered the workers to cut down the obstruction.
    Believing in the old story that it was unlucky to interfere with these treasured spots, this, the men refused to do, whereupon the priest offered to turn the first sod if they should do the rest.
    Taking the spade in hand, he set about turning the few sods as he had agreed, but Lo! he got a pain in his knee from which

  6. How Crecora Got Its Name

    CBÉS 0527

    Page 231

    Stories told by the late James McCarthy (Age 50 years).
    How Crecora Got Its Name.
    A boy and his mother were walking from Mainster to Limerick. They were very poor. At Crecora the woman got sick and the boy waited there with her. They waited there for three or four days, and then the mother died. The boy buried her there, and he put a branch on her grave 'as a token'. This branch grew, and from it Crecora got its name, i.e. Craob Comarta. Another explanation of the name gives it as Craob Cumra, i.e. the sweet-smelling branch.

  7. Ballad

    CBÉS 0525

    Page 117

    The muses they invite me, to sing a line or two,
    In praise of those Crecora boys, they prove so loyal and true,
    They beat them all, wherever they went, my boys that the rub
    May the heavens smile upon the soil that reared Crecora club

  8. Apparition at Bettyville House

    CBÉS 0525

    Page 127

    Bettyville House lies about 8 miles South of Limerick city and 2 miles South of Crecora Boat Office. It was probably built by the former landlord, Mr. Lee. Many tenants have been in occupation of this residence and the 200 acres attached thereto. One of these, a Scotchman named Mr. Nonald, tilled extensively employing many hands. His wife died there and a headstone is erected over her grave close to Mc Murray's vault in Crecora churchyard. A brother of Mr. Mc Donald's lived at Style Park House about 4 miles South of Croom.
    A daughter of this Mc Donald made a romantic elopement with a painter named Moloney of Croom. It appears this man was as famous as a singer as he was noted at his profession. One day when decorating the interior of an upper room in Style Park House he sang the "Bells of Shandon". The windows being open, the singer's fine tones attracted the lady who was outside on the lawn. A love match resulted and the pair went to reside in Dublin.

  9. Local Heroes

    CBÉS 0526

    Page 007

    1. Birth place.
    2. Where educated.
    Captain John Lewis was born at Crecora and educated at Crecora national school.
    He had great desire for riding and when he grew up he joined the school of Equitation and got commission for riding and is now a hero of great fame.

  10. Local Roads

    CBÉS 0526

    Page 050

    In this parish roads stretch in five directions, to Dooneen, Kilpeacon, Croom, Manister and Patrick's Well. These roads were made in the famine time as relief work and the wage per day was three pence or four pence.
    The usual road to Limerick at present is by Dooneen or Kilpeacon.
    There are three mass-paths in this parish one from the Lemonfield road to Crecora Church, another from the Lemonfield road to the Dooneen road, and from the Croom road to Crecora Church.

  11. The Crecora Hurlers

    CBÉS 0527

    Page 189

    They will face them man to man
    Oh, 'tis then you'd see the hurling
    With the Crecora twenty-one.

    When they beat the Ballyneety team.
    They played the O'Connell's then
    And before the daylight failed them
    In sooth, they were the victors
    They thrashed them all, where e'er they went
    Be sure they won each prize
    May heaven smile upon the soil
    That reared the Crecora boys.

    The Crecora boys are mighty youths
    Of that you may be sure
    They're active, hardy, bold and proud
    Noble, brave and pure
    They can do brave deeds
    When they are on the playing field
    Be sure they are brave hurlers
    Those brave Crecora burghers

  12. Local Traditions - Miscellaneous

    CBÉS 0506

    Page 736

    In the parish of Crecora there was a certain house and twas on the passage between two forts. It so happened that the couple that lived in that house had a very big family, and it so happened too, that as they grew

  13. Local Heroes

    CBÉS 0525

    Page 123

    Many people rose to fame in this district one deserving great praise is John Lewis.
    He was born at Crecora crossroads about 80 yards from the church and educated at Crecora National School. When he had grown to manhood he set off and joined the Free State Army where he proved very successful. He afterwards entered the School of Equitation and became one of the International Army Jumping Team. Soon he was raised to the rank of Lieutenant.
    He has won fame as a rider in many countries as well as Ireland, for he was among the competitors at the great jumping events held in Brussels and other centres.
    His name is favoured with many trophies and he has won cups and medals for first and second places in events in which American, French, English and German riders competed. He has now attained the rank of Captain

  14. The Local Forges

    CBÉS 0526

    Page 032

    There are two forges in this parish one at Crecora Cross and the other on the
    road-side at Greens Hills.
    The one at Crecora is owned by Mr. Mulqueen, and the other one is owned by Mr. Toomey.
    The forge is a tall black building, roofed with timber and felt. There is only one fire and this is worked by a bellows placed on a frame beside the fire. This bellows is the same shape as a hand bellows and worked by a large handle . Its door is an ordinary one and tradition states that "forge-water" is a great cure for chilblains.
    There is no need for a sign-board outside the door you see a heap of iron and cast off horse-shoes

  15. Ballad

    CBÉS 0526

    Page 124

    The Ballad was composed by
    Patrick Ryan, Poet, Patrick's Well

    "The muses they invite me to sing a line or two,
    In praise of those Crecora boys they prove so loyal and true
    They beat them all, wheree'r they went, my boys, that's the rub
    May the heavens smile, upon the soil that reared Crecora club.

  16. Ballad

    CBÉS 0526

    Page 125

    The Ballad was composed by
    Patrick Ryan, Poet, Patrick's Well
    "The muses they invite me to sing a line or two,
    In praise of those Crecora boys they prove so loyal and true
    They beat them all, wheree'r they went, my boys, that's the rub
    May the heavens smile, upon the soil that reared Crecora club.

  17. The Crecora Hurlers

    CBÉS 0527

    Page 188

    The Crecora Hurlers.
    By John Ryan, Patrickswell.
    Crecora is the next parish to Patrickswell, and when this team of which the poet writes, was in its hey-day, several of its members were from the village.

    The muses they invite me
    To sing a verse or two
    Concerning those brave hurlers bold
    Who proved so bright and true
    They took the sway in every place
    All hurlers they did rub
    Oh, where is the team can ere compete.
    With the brave Crecora club.

    When they enter to the field.
    'Tis then you'd see the sight
    all dressed in green and white
    With their bosses raised for height
    By their gallant captains orders.

  18. Thoumpeen na Webbina

    CBÉS 0525

    Page 173

    Two men paid the extreme penalty of the law = execution - for her murder. One was a gentleman lover and the other his boatman. The remains of the former lie in Crecora Churchyard, within the precinct of some ruins. This gentleman belonged to a family who held high influence in those far off days. Consequently, his body must have been allowed to his friends for his private internment. Thoumpeen na Webbina lies in the farm of Mr Ned Lane. Where the "Colleen Bawn" used to visit was close to the little stream near Pat Keating's house.

  19. (no title)

    “In the old days the patterns were the recognised centres and proved fixed opportunities for what, from our point of view must, I think be looked upon as meetings of scattered clans.”

    CBÉS 0507

    Page 442

    In the old days the patterns were the recognised centres and provided fixed opportunity for what, from our point of view must, I think be looked upon as meetings of scattered clans. Thus at the pattern of Croom, Banogue and Manister fraternised in the house of Thornhill - (This was of necessity in the decadence of the pattern, for Adam Thornhill was the proprietor of a publichouse at least as late as '67. He was a Protestant, but his son Henry was a Catholic and local head centre of the Fenians.
    Henry also "Went out" against Garibaldy - Drummin and Crecora, met for revel and dance in William Breen's. What was true for Croom was, I am informed true for other patterns. At these rendezvous, or at least at some of them, occurrences took place which to say the least of them, were

  20. Stories of the Witch - Biddy Early

    “About ninety years ago there lived in the townsland of Lemonfield and parish of Crecora Co Limerick...”

    CBÉS 0525

    Page 036

    3.
    About ninety years ago there lived in the townland of Lemonfield and parish of Crecora, Co Limerick a boy named John McNamara. He was a hunchback from birth, and the belief at that time amongst the people was that he was a changeling. The neighbours advised the father to go to Biddy Early the wise woman who lived in Clare. The father took the journey on foot until he found out where she lived. As he approached her cabin she came out and greeted him with these words “Welcome James Mc Namara from Lemonfield.” He was surprised that she knew him. Then he told her about his son and she made up some mixture and put it in a bottle and gave it to him with the following instructions - To take great care of it on his way home as he may meet many obstacles, and when he’d reach home to bolt the door and sweep the heartstone clean and put the bottle over on it, then