School: Rossbrin, Béal Átha an Dá Chab (roll number 16079)
- Location:
- Ros Brain, Co. Chorcaí
- Teacher: Cormac Mac Carrthaigh
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0288, Page 403
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- Long ago the people of this country had a great many superstitious practices.
It was considered unlucky to "redden" the earth on Good Friday. If a person found a four leaf shamrock, it was thought that the person would be lucky. If a person was going on a journey and to meet a black cat, it was considered lucky. If a person had a horses shoe hanging over the door, it was thought it would keep away ill-luck and bring good luck.
When a person saw a number of magpies together, he began to ponder in his mind what did they betoken, and after a while the following little rhyme came to his mind.
One for sorrow.
Two for joy.
Three for a wedding.
And four for to die.
Five for silver
Six for gold.
Seven for a story that had never been told.
Eight for a shovel.
Nine for a spade.
Ten for a coffin to go down in the grae
It was considered unlucky to go on a journey on a Monday.
