Athruithe le déanaí

In olden times the Irish people did not believe in Doctors, and for colds and other diseases. There were what they called home quacks to make up cures out of herbs and other ingredients.
One old cure they had for a cold was, boil some buttermilk take off the curds and sweeten to taste with sugar and flavour with garlic.

Bread was made from wheat, oats, rye, and barley in the olden times. There were many mills in this country to be found long ago. The wheat was grind with a grinding stone. They were many cakes baked such as wheaten bread, oaten bread, and potato cakes. Pancakes wee made on Shrove Tuesday which was a custom of the old people and they are still made at present. Barn-bracks were made on Hallow-Eve. People made bread with water and milk. The ingredients for the potato cakes, are flour, potatoes, and a little teaspoon full of bread soda. Long ago brown cakes were made for weddings.

The following information I heard from Mr P Ivory, Ballinvally, Killeen, 78 years old.Brook Lime: the stems of this herb taken for nine mornings fasting proves to be a reliable cure for liver complaint. It is very good for stomach in general.Cure for colds and all lung trouble
Ingredients: About a handful of the following: Ground ivy, dandelion, liquorice ball, sentorig (?), root of daisies, common ivy, brown sugar.
Method: Stew all for about one hour and strain and bottle. Take a tablespoonful fasting for 9 mornings.Cure for Neuritis and Rheumatism
Marrow plant when boiled in small quantity of water yields juice which when drunk frequently proves to be a fine cure.

Another disease cured in this manner is Erysipelas, or locally named the Rose. The remaining ends of the first candles burned at a wake are supposed to be a cure for this, they are rubbed on the offered part, another cure is part of the clothing, belonging to a person whose parents have the same surname, being burned to ashes and rubbed on the parts affected. Cures are certainly effected by these means in a few days whereas if a Doctor treats a patient suffering from Erysipelas a cure is not effected for three or four weeks at least.
At almost every wake in this place, the first candle ends are preserved so as to be at hand in case of necessity.
There are other diseases treated also, but not in so magical a manner, such as cancer, Jaundice, sprains, etc.
Jaundice if treated by a Doctor takes six weeks, it can be cured locally in two days, the cure of course like the cancer cure, is known only to a few and is kept a secret except that something is boiled in Ale, the Ale is taken by the patient, who gets quite well immediately.
Sprains are cured by what is called a straining thread made from flax and tied round the sprained part.
Rubbing nine irons to a swollen gland three times is also commonly practised with satisfactory results.
It is a firm belief in this locality that some children are born with healing powers of certain diseases, as the disease locally learned Evil [?] The seventh son is supposed to be able to cure a certain form of this disease, a posthumous child is supposed to be

Little Willies sister have been very naughty and her mother declared that instead of punishing the child she would just get a good little girl in her place.
But the daughter was not in the least upset.
"You couldn't," she laughed. Her mother was surprised and asked the reason.
"Because," explained the little girl wisely, "nobody would be silly enough to give you a good girl in exchange for a bad one."

Leacain Well is situated about six miles from Blessington in the Co Wicklow. The district of Leacain was noted for its scarcity of clear spring water. The people invoked the aid of a very old man by the name of Father Germain, who caused a well to spring up.
He blessed the well and placed two small fishes in it. He said while those fishes were in the well, the waters would cure people, who have devotion. Thousands of people have been cured by Leacain well and the waters have been sent all over the world.
The two fishes can still be seen. A tiny stream flows from the well to a river about a mile away. As Leacain well is in the valley which will soon be flooded by authorities, the well will be covered over many feet in depth. Then the fishes will escape and Leacain Well will lose its power.
This story was told to me by my father, whom it was given by an old man named John Richardson of Templeboden, Leacain. Age 87.

2. For burns. To walk out in the dew of the morning or to walk in the soft boggy ground.
3. A cure for warts was to rub the first snail you would meet in the morning to each wart and then the snail upon a thorn bush and according as the snail withered so would the wart.
4. A pain in the stomach. An iron pot lid was heated put to the stomach. This with a dose of punch was a sure cure for the pain.
5. A bad stomach. The dandelion plant was pulled root and leaves, and washed. Then it was boiled and the patient took a glass-ful of the water it was boiled in, after every meal.
6. For Sore eyes. The eyes were bathed in cold tea.
7. For Curing Dried-up sores. A piece of linen was scorched at the fire and applied to the sore.
8. The disease that is is known as “thrush” in babies’ mouths can be cured by putting the head of a screeching gander into the baby’s mouth.
9. A snail boiled in milk is a cure for consumption and yellow jaundice.
10. For rheumatism. A cut potato carried about one’s pocket cures rheumatism.
11. For Sprains. Marshmallows were boiled and the sprained part was bathed in the water it which the marshmallow had been boiled.

forge water to cure warts.
Because when the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph were going up to Bethlehem to be enrolled, the Blessed Virgin lost the brooch of her cloak.
When she was passing by a forge, she asked the blacksmith to make a pin to put in her cloak and he made the pin for her.
He dipped it in the water to cool it and the Blessed Virgin said that the water would cure the warts he had on his hands.3. A man by the name of Keogh could cure St. Anthony’s fire and ringworm by bleeding his fingers and rubbing the affected parts.
4. The seventh is supposed cure farsy in horses
5. If a child is born after its father’s death it can cure sore mouth by blowing it three times.

Work which is now in progress on the new reservoir at Poulaphouca brings this well-known beauty spot and the little village of Blessington before the public mind. Both Poulaphouca and Blessington have many historical connections.
About two miles from the Three Castles we enter the village of Blessington by a pretty road. Along the sides of wide streets lime trees are planted in boulevard fashion.
Opposite the Court House in the centre of this street may be seen a fountain which bears the following inscription:
"Erected on the coming of age of the Earl of Hillborough, 24th Dec., 1865. A tribute of respect from the tenantry of the Wicklow, Kildare and Kilkenny estates of the Marquis of Downshire. The water supplied at the cost of a kind and generous landlord for the benefit of his attached and loyal tenants"
Blessington is of comparatively modern origin, both town and church having been erected in the time of Charles II by Archbishop Boyle, who presented to the church a set of plate and also a fine chime of bells, which, I believe are still in use.
The date of their presentation 1682, can still be seen on the bells. In the churchyard there is a monument

1. Toothache:-
One of the cures that were round this locality was to put a frog in your mouth to cure toothaches.
Another cure was to wash your hands in

The following are cures I heard around this district:-
1. For Boils. A plaster of fresh cowdung was put on. Another cure for boils was the application of an ivyleaf the under part of the leaf drawing the boil and the upper part curing the boil after it had been drawn.
2. For cuts. A freshly spun cobweb was applied to the cut. Then the bleeding immediately stopped. Another cure for a cut was the dust a “caise púca.” Still another cure was the application of lime or sometimes salt.
3. Dislocated joints. These were treated by Mr. B O’Callaghan of the Bog Road who always after putting the joint in place, applied a plaster of pitch to keep in place.
4. For Colds. A posset of oatmeal, buttermilk, butter and sugar was drunk by the patient. This brought on perspiration.

The following are cures I heard around this district:-
1. For Boils. A plaster of fresh cowdung was put on. Another cure for boils was the application of an ivyleaf the under part of the leaf drawing the boil and the upper part curing the boil after it had been drawn.
2. For cuts. A freshly spun cobweb was applied to the cut. Then the bleeding immediately stopped. Another cure for a cut was the dust a “csipe pucs.” Still another cure was the application of lime or sometimes salt.
3. Dislocated joints. These were treated by Mr. B O’Callaghan of the Bog Road who always after putting the joint in place, applied a plaster of pitch to keep in place.
4. For Colds. A posset of oatmeal, buttermilk, butter and sugar was drunk by the patient. This brought on perspiration.

Local CuresThe following are cures I heard around this district:-
1. For Boils. A plaster of fresh cowdung was put on. Another cure for boils was the application of an ivyleaf the under part of the leaf drawing the boil and the upper part curing the boil after it had been drawn.
2. For cuts. A freshly spun cobweb was applied to the cut. Then the bleeding immediately stopped. Another cure for a cut was the dust a “csipe pucs.” Still another cure was the application of lime or sometimes salt.
3. Dislocated joints. These were treated by Mr. B O’Callaghan of the Bog Road who always after putting the joint in place, applied a plaster of pitch to keep in place.
4. For Colds. A posset of oatmeal, buttermilk, butter and sugar was drunk by the patient. This brought on perspiration.

Cures No V
A local cure for warts is to scoop out a turnip and put salt in it. The juice which the salt draws out is rubbed on the wart. Our Father and three Hail Mary's are the prayers to be said.No VI
There is a famous old well dedicated [to] St Schorlok and the Blessed Virgin the the Parish of Blessington on the farm of Mr. Cary. It is called Schorloks well. This well cures almost anything but chiefly Worms, Tootache and Sore hers. Any prayers will do, but you must have the belief, and hang a cotton rag on the tree that over-shadows it. May day and during the month is the time to visit it.These stories of cures were given to me by my mother, to whom they were given by an old woman called Mrs. Byrne, who lived near Blessington.

Ireland is dotted over with ruins and there are a great many of them in this district:-
There is Mass Rock in Ballinastocken and another on Granamore Mountain where the priests said Mass in 98.
There is a Holy Well in Ballyknocken and a little stone cross beside it.
The "Sweat-house" in Annacarney was built in the time of the Danes, people were cured there of Rheumatic fever.

the bock-brook nearby. Then when this was done three times a cure was supposed to be completed.

he was supposed to be cured. The diseases supposed to be cured were: rheumatism, headaches and other pains.

wrestler who went over to the United States" The children replied that they had heard of him. On hearing this my uncle said to them, "Well then who is the other great wrestler, who is always among us?" After a short hesitation the children replied as if in one voice, "Steve Casey"

Truce: A hill 1/4 of a mile North of Ballymore Eustace. Supposed to have been used as a meeting place for the purpose of signing a treaty between the Wicklow chieftains and the Pale authorities.Glan Andra: On the Liffey above 'Golden Falls'.These names are not used now.Glan eeran.
Glashina.
Glenmore.
Ballykinleigh.
Foilaree.

Balladalla.
Ballybought.
Bolabeg.
Brumlin.
Briencan.
Ardenode.
Donode.
Mullaboden.
Sillagh.

Geerogues: Drills becoming shorter.Teeveen: A patch of leather on a boot.Trahneen: A blade of grass.Drig - Strig: To take the last drop of milk from a cow.Spock: An awkward kick.Foils: Generally meaning - in the neighbourhood, the place where hazel nuts grow. It so happens that in three cases the hazel nuts grow on steep banks or cliffs on the river Liffey.Crúbeen: A field on the outskirts of the village.

Bresna. A bundle of firewood.Greeshuc. Burning ash - embers.Iruk. Chapped skin in frosty weather.Tilly. A little more than the correct measure when selling milk.Botyeen. A short thick stick carried in the hand.Leatherum[?]. A foolish fellow.Pooryeens. Small potatoes.Crickens. Small potatoes.

Bresna. A bundle of firewood.Greeshuc. Burning ash - embers.Iruk. Chapped skin in frosty weather.Tilly. A little more than the correct measure when selling milk.Botyeen. A short thick stick carried in the hand.Lewtherum[?] Leatherum[?]. A foolish fellow.Pooryeens. Small potatoes.Crickens. Small potatoes.

Bresna. A bundle of firewood.Greeshuc. Burning ash - embers.Iruk. Chapped skin in frosty weather.Tilly. A little more than the correct measure when selling milk.Botyeen. A short thick stick carried in the hand.Lewtherum. A foolish fellow.Pooryeens. Small potatoes.Crickens. Small potatoes.

Long Stones:
There is a Long Stone lying in a field in Broadleas about 3/4 mile from Ballymore Eustace. The district in the immediate neighbourhood of the stone is called - Longstone.

Sore Eye (Sty): Point a gooseberry thorn to the sty three times a day for three days. The person pointing to make the Sign of the Cross once for each time he points. The pointer not to be related to the person having the sty.Sore Eye (Sty): Some person not related to make the Sign of the Cross with a gold ring over the sty three times a day for three days.Ring Worm: Place a gold ring over the sore once each morning for three mornings and say a Pater and three Aves.

Whooping Cough: Give a donkey a piece of bread to eat. If crumbs fall to the ground pick them up, boil them in milk and give them to the patient.Bleeding: Rub the leaf of St. Joseph's Lily on the wound and the bleeding will cease.To make the hair grow after sores or ringworm} Get a piece of an old boot - burn it to ashes - mix the ashes with melted unsalted butter. Rub on bare spot three times.Thrush: A child born after the death of its father has the power to cure Thrush or sore mouth (internal) by blowing the breath on the mouth of the patient

Whooping Cough: Give a donkey a piece of bread to eat. If crumbs fall to the ground pick them up, boil them in milk and give them to the patient.Bleeding: Rub the leaf of St. Joseph's Lily on the wound and the bleeding will cease.To make the hair grow after sores or ringworm} Get a piece of an old boot - burn it to ashes - mix the ashes with melted unsalted butter. Rub on bare spot three times.

Warts: Rub Easter Sunday Holy Water on the wart for nine consecutive Fridays and the wart will disappear.Warts: For each wart get a pebble. Rub a pebble on each wart. Put the pebbles in a bag and leave the bag of pebbles on the road. The person who picks up the bag will get the warts, while the first person will be cured.Warts: Rub a piece of fat bacon on the warts. Put the piece of bacon in a parcel and leave it on the road. The first person to handle the bacon will take the warts and the original is cured.Anthony's Fire: The blood of persons bearing the name Keogh is supposed to cure this complaint. Only male members can cure.

Chilblains: Boil some bark of an oak tree in salty water. Rub the liquid on the chilblain.Jaundice: Peel the bark from the Barberry Bush. Boil the bark in new milk. Drink a glass of the medicine once a day.Nettle Stings: The juice of the Dock leaf cures Nettle Stings.Warts: Rub a snail or slug on the wart, then hang the snail or slug on a thorn. According as the snail decays the wart also decays.Warts: Your fasting spit rubbed on the wart each morning for nine consecutive mornings will banish the wart.

St. John's, Ballybought. (Stapleton's Land)Not visited now, but is supposed to have been visited years ago for cures.

St. John's, Ballybought. (Stapleton' Land)Not visited now, but is supposed to have been visited years ago for cures.

St James’s Well, Coughlanstown. In Coughlanstown Graveyard - 2 miles from Ballymore Eustace. It is supposed to have healing powers. There used to be a pilgrimage from the stone cross,[see previous page] near Dwyer’s cottage, to the well - there was a special day for the pilgrimage. No living person remembers the actual pilgrimage. A few still visit the well for cures. Visits - Three - on three different days. Pray and leave some religious object at the well.

St James’s Well, Coughlanstown. In Coughlanstown Graveyard - 2 miles from Ballymore Eustace. It is supposed to have healing powers. There used to be a pilgrimage from the stone cross[see previous page] near Dwyer’s cottage to the well - there was a special day for the pilgrimage. No living person remembers the actual pilgrimage. A few still visit the well for cures. Visits - Three - on three different days. Pray and leave some religious object at the well.

cows are cross they are tied by the horns, feet and round the waist. We call the tying by the feet fettering. People put the sign of the cross on the cow after milking. Horses.
The Connemara pony is one of the oldest at the present day. There was another pony owned by Ted Blake of Ballnafad named Kangaroo. The horse was expected to win a race but he only came second and Ted said "I will keep in his stable for seven years and he will win the race then." So he won it in Punchestown. When calling horses they say "phreach"A Story
There was a famous horse in Castlehackett named

About fifty years ago when my Grandfather was a young man, it was in the month of April and he was going to the races in Punchestown. He got up before sunrise that morning to do a bit of ploughing before he went. He was after doing a couple of rounds, and he heard a noise coming up behind him. He looked behind him. He saw about a barrow of stones rolling up the field behind him. They were tumblin over each other. He stood looking at them and the horse got frightened and ran away. They brought the plough with them and broke it in two hafs. One of them ran off through the fields, and the other ran home and into the shed he was taken out of. My Grandfather followed them and they left a track in the grass. They rolled to the ditch, and rolled up it. Some of them would fall back into the ditch. He followed them for about a mile, to a place called the Clash, a big mound of earth and stones all covered with furs. It was about ten feet high. They rolled up the side of the clash, and they rolled into a big hole. My Grandfather never saw the hole before. He peeped into it but he could see nothing because it was dark. He could hear the stones ratteling down into the heart of the mound. He took up a piece of a stick and stuck it up beside the hole. He left the place and went to the races. The next day he came back to the mound and the stick was gone. The name of the place was Bryanstown.

At Punchestown there is a large granite stone situated near the race-course. It is about five feet round at the bottom and about twelve feet high and is pointed at the top like a carrot.The story told is that Fionn MacCool once used this huge stone as a toothpick. One morning after his breakfast Fionn was picking his teeth and while doing so he hurt one of his gums. He got so vexed that he flung the toothpick from him and it went all the way from the Hill of Allen and never "hit"[?] until it landed at Punchestown. There it stuck in the ground and there it remained all these hundreds of years until the present day.

trust in God. They were healthier and stronger than the people of today. There were often old men and women who had cures. Sixty years ago an old woman named Mrs. Byrne used to lift men's breast-bones. She saved the lives of many young men who were in decline.
Yellow turnips (raw) were a cure for coughs and bad chests. The turnips were sliced very thinly and put in a basin with sugar, then they pressed down with a plate and this would make a syrup. The syrup was the cure.
Marsh Mallows boiled for hours were great for stupes.
Boiled celery was great for rheumatism. The old people drank the boiled celery water.

Doctor Stoney was the Lucan doctor about fifty years ago. He never listened to the people's complaints. He was considered a very fussy man and people often laughed about the way he treated patients who went to him. He would say when the people went to him "Come in, come on, put out your tongue, here's a bottle take it". This was said to everyone and was said all in one breath.
Before him was Doctor Watson. He was a good man and looked after his people well. But the very old people never cared for doctors. They preferred to pray and put their

Wash us and cleanse us, and make us pure and white as snow."
At every hour they said - "Another hour of my life has passed, to thee sweet Jesus I commend the last."
They had always a very great devotion to the Rosary. Every night the Rosary was said at 10.30. All the family had to be in for that, and anyone who was in the house waiting, joined in. An old woman 80 years ago always said "Thank God for a little bread and a little fire". No matter what happened she would say "Jesus, Mary and Joseph give me strength".

Wash us and cleanse us, and make us pure and white as snow."
At every hour they said - "Another hour of my life has passed, to thee sweet Jesus I commend the last."
They had always a very great devotion to the Rosary. Every night the Rosary was said at 10.30. All the family had to be in for that, and anyone who was in the house waiting, joined in. An old woman 80 years ago always said " Thank God for a little bread and a little fire". No matter what happened she would say "Jesus, Mary and Joseph give me strength".

The old people always said when blessing themselves with holy water, " Sprinkle us oh Lord Jesus,

The old people always said when blessing themselves with holy water, " Sprinkle us oh Lord Jesus

looked out but there was no one to be seen. Then as he getting into bed again he heard the same knock for the third time. He realized then what it all meant and cried out to his wife "Chriss is dead". The next morning he received a telegram which said " Chriss is dead come". His sister had been ill but he did not think she was going to die. Her name was Mrs. Duggan and she died at St. Luke's Villa, Alexander Road, Cork about 20th Sept. 24 years ago. This of course is the truth and was certainly not imagined.
There was a dog in Lucan once owned by Mrs. Daniels and every house he would howl outside of, someone would die in that house. If he wanted to howl outside a certain house no one could put him away. The people did not like him and sent him to the city where he was shot. That was about twenty years ago. Everybody looked on him as a bad omen.

It was after two o clock when a knock came to the door of a house in Mount Joseph's Hill. Everybody was asleep at the time, but with such a clear, loud knock everybody was soon awake. Of course the man of the house, Mr. Rogers, Mount Joseph's Hill, Lucan got up when he heard the knock but when he opened the door he could not see anyone. He thought then that the person who had been knocking had gone round to the back door, but no! He went upstairs, and as he was getting into bed he heard the knock again. He rushed to the window and

when a woman was dying. It was heard moaning outside under the window and was so loud that everyone around heard it. That night the woman, Miss Mc Connell died. The banshee follows this family. Three knocks came to the window last night (Tuesday 10th January) Mr Mc Connell is ill now of course he is over ninety years of age.
Nobody else seems to have heard the banshee when a person belonging to them died. But it surely follows Mc Connell's knocks.

The banshee is said to have been heard on the Lock Road about 10 years ago,

The banshee is said to have been heard on the Lock Road about 10 years ago.

In 1849 the students of the University, Trinity College used to come out to old Esker cemetery when they would hear of a person been buried there. They had muffled horses so that they could not be heard. They came after twelve o' clock when all was quiet. They had search lights + two men watching to keep nix for them. They drove away leaving the grave open. The students used to operate on them and find out their complaint.

particular spot.
On one tombstone is written "Remember man" etc. The person buried beneath this tombstone is said to have had the wish that that inscription be put on his tombstone. Old Esker cemetery is not used now.

On the road between Clondalkin and Lucan there is a very old cemetery. Right in the centre of the church-yard is the ruins of what appears to have been a chapel. This chapel was used in the olden days when Esker was a village. This chapel was apparently out of use when the cemetery opened because people have been buried inside its ruins. In the concrete at the back of the ruins, you can see the mark of a cloven foot. It is supposed that the devil stood in that

There were some few men went hunting wild birds in the old ivied ruins of Flavins lawn in Clashmore late one night. It was about twelve o' clock. They thought they heard a noise. They looked in through the ivy and one saw as he thought the figure of an elderly gentleman with riding breeches and a whip across his shoulder and he was in a sitting position as if he were riding a horse.The man that saw him fainted and had to be carried home by his chums. The doctor and priest had to be brought to him, and by the description he gave of what he saw an old man who lived in Clashmore at the time said it was surely Bob Power.Bob Power's ancestors were Catholics but he turned Protestant and even to this day if people were passing late at night by Flavins they could hear the creaking of saddles and cracking of whips as told to me by my grandmother.

introduction of machinery has done away with some of the shoe-makers, and too, people, at the present time, prefer to wear shoes and boots bought in the shop.
Clogs were very much worn in this locality, some time ago, but not so much now, they are not made locally at the present time. I can get no account of leather being made in this district at any time.

In former times people began to wear boots at the age of twenty years. I heard of a man named Seumas Mc Guill who never wore boots or shoes. Children, at present, always go barefoot in summer, and some children go barefoot all the year round.
Water used for washing the feet is kept in the house for one night, some people throw a lighted coal into it, the old people say it is not right to throw it out, the night you wash your feet, for fear 'the good people' would be passing. And others say, you might throw it on some spirit, who would be passing at the time.
Boots are made and repaired in this locality, there are two or three shoe-makers in the district, it has been handed on from father to son in nearly every case. In former times there were far more shoe-makers than at the present day, the people say the

As the sunlight in its glory.
Ever shines on fair Clew bay
And Croagh Patrick old and hoary
Rises o'er the ruins grey.
As the streamlets in the meadows
In their pride come dancing down
Nestled close among the mountains
Stands pleasant Newport town.Just a mile from where the turrets
Of the ancient towns uprise
And the frowning peak of nephin
Soars in grandeur to the skies
Lie a massive heap of ruins
In their loneliness sublime
Though scattered and dismantled now
By tyranny and time.Twas a proud and stately castle
In the years of long ago
When the dauntless Grace O'Malley
Ruled a queen in fair Mayo
And from Bernham's lofty summit
To the waves of Galway Bay
And from Castlebar to Ballintra

Among the many stories connected with this district there is one relating to Fionn Mc Cool. It is told that the Banaho people, in the time of "Fianna Éireann", were great people for sport. They held great sports annually and they were very popular and very well contested. It happened one year that the people of Banaho wanted to put up a good show, so they asked the Irish champion, Fionn Mc Cool to give an exhibition. He came and performed many great feats to the great applauding of his onlookers. One of the most remarkable feats was a feat of strength. He lifted up a large piece of earth and threw it from Slieve Gleadh to Shantamon Mountain, a distance of four miles, as if it were a pebble. The place were he rested his foot before doing that feat is still marked by his footprint on a flag of rock. These sports were held on the slopes of Slieve Gleadh and from the hurdles used there the mountain gets its name, "Gleadh" being the Irish for hurdles. It is the same word as is in "Báile Ata Cliat" or Dublin.