Irish historical allusions, curious customs and superstitions, County of Kerry, Corkaguiny

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Massacre of civilians at Standbally during the Black Earl's Raid

   Dingle · town · Kerry · 1580

   At Standbally during the 1580 raid, English soldiers under the Earl of Ormond tossed children from pike to pike for sport and then stabbed the feeble mothers to death. Father Dominick O'Daly described it as cooling their impious thirst with the blood of Catholics.

   Read the passage

   Thierna-Diibh's Raid, or the Black Barl's Raid. — This was applied to the Earl of Ormond, who was Lord Governor of Munster. During the Great Desmond Wars, in 1580, he converted the whole barony of Corkaguiny into one great slaughter-house. He went to oppose the Spaniards, then with a Pope's banner, at Fort-del-Ore, in Smerwick Harbor, and also to capture the 15th Earl of Desmond, a Catholic, because the latter was suspected of favoring his cousins in a rebellion against the British crown, and Ormond was anxious to possess Desmond's confiscated estates. At Tralee, Ormond, the Black Earl, divided his forces into three divisions, and from thence marched westward towards Dingle, through Slieve-Mish. In this journey the English soldiers slaughtered every man, woman and child they met. At Standbally, they tossed the children for pastime from pike to pike and next stabbed to death the feeble mothers. Father Dominick O'Daly calls it ''Cooling their impious thirst with the blood of Catholics." Classing Father O'Daly as a supporter of the Desmonds and rejecting his evidence and taking their own evidence, the author finds that in the commander's letters to Queen Elizabeth they promised "If God will give us bread, we doubt not but to

   the tears of widows and tho crying orphans you caused, standing before you. You may be sure a just God will not be fooled by the arguments of cunning counselors, judges, ministers, priests, bishops or pious frauds, who may be hired or engaged to bring their country's youth to the slaughter house.

   Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 56

   As the companion tells it

   As you come through Dingle in Kerry, you're near Standbally, where one of the darkest episodes of the Black Earl's raid took place in 1580. The Earl of Ormond, Lord Governor of Munster, had divided his forces at Tralee and marched west toward Dingle through Slieve Mish. His English soldiers slaughtered every man, woman and child they met along the way. At Standbally, they tossed children from pike to pike for sport, then stabbed the feeble mothers to death. Father Dominick O'Daly wrote that they were "cooling their impious thirst with the blood of Catholics." Ormond had marched west to oppose the Spaniards at Fort del Ore in Smerwick Harbour, who carried a Pope's banner, and also to capture the 15th Earl of Desmond, a Catholic suspected of favouring his cousins in rebellion against the British crown. Ormond wanted Desmond's confiscated estates. Some later dismissed O'Daly's account because he was a supporter of the Desmonds. But the commander's own letters to Queen Elizabeth promised, if God gave them bread, they doubted not but to succeed on the tears of widows and the crying orphans they had caused.

2. Black Earl's Raid marches from Tralee through Slieve-Mish to Dingle

   Slieve Mish · monument · Antrim · 1580

   In 1580, the Earl of Ormond, called the Black Earl, marched from Tralee westward towards Dingle through Slieve-Mish, slaughtering every man, woman and child encountered. The raid devastated the barony of Corkaguiny during the Great Desmond Wars.

   Read the passage

   Thierna-Diibh's Raid, or the Black Barl's Raid. — This was applied to the Earl of Ormond, who was Lord Governor of Munster. During the Great Desmond Wars, in 1580, he converted the whole barony of Corkaguiny into one great slaughter-house. He went to oppose the Spaniards, then with a Pope's banner, at Fort-del-Ore, in Smerwick Harbor, and also to capture the 15th Earl of Desmond, a Catholic, because the latter was suspected of favoring his cousins in a rebellion against the British crown, and Ormond was anxious to possess Desmond's confiscated estates. At Tralee, Ormond, the Black Earl, divided his forces into three divisions, and from thence marched westward towards Dingle, through Slieve-Mish. In this journey the English soldiers slaughtered every man, woman and child they met. At Standbally, they tossed the children for pastime from pike to pike and next stabbed to death the feeble mothers. Father Dominick O'Daly calls it ''Cooling their impious thirst with the blood of Catholics." Classing Father O'Daly as a supporter of the Desmonds and rejecting his evidence and taking their own evidence, the author finds that in the commander's letters to Queen Elizabeth they promised "If God will give us bread, we doubt not but to

   the tears of widows and tho crying orphans you caused, standing before you. You may be sure a just God will not be fooled by the arguments of cunning counselors, judges, ministers, priests, bishops or pious frauds, who may be hired or engaged to bring their country's youth to the slaughter house.

   Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 56

3. Gates of Glory standing stones at Milltown, Dingle

   Milltown · town · Kerry

   Gallauns (standing stones) at Milltown near Dingle, called the Gates of Glory, served as jurisdictional landmarks for the town court. If a corpse being pursued for debt escaped beyond these stones, the court could not follow, and funeral attendants could stone the bailiff.

   Read the passage

   Gates of Glory. — These are Gallauns standing at Milltown, Dingle. Probably they were first erected as landmarks. At a later period they served another purpose. Persons amenable to the town court for certain acts, such as debts and the like, were considered outside its jurisdiction when beyond those stones or landmarks. I was told that it often happened orders were obtained against deceased persons who owed money and the body arrested and held without burial up to, but not exceeding, nine days, unless some friend paid the debt. However, if the corpse escaped beyond the ''Gates of Glory" the court was unable to follow it and those in the funeral could stone the bailiff. Consequently those stones were designated the Gates of Glory.

   Gliosis' Spirits Cannot Cross Running Water. — The reasons for persons believing that a ghost or a fairy will not follow them through any river or stream which is not bridged over or has no stepping stones is because when they with fear suddenly plunge into a deep hole in a river the cold water gives the nerves such a shock that it drives away all terror. If a man was hounded by an enemy and believed his life was in danger, he would quickly forget the ghosts and even hide in a graveyard if he thought that by so doing he would escape from his pursuer.

   Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 80

   As the companion tells it

   Coming up through Milltown, near Dingle, there are standing stones called the Gates of Glory. The word Gallauns is the older name for them. They were likely first put up as landmarks. At a later time they took on another purpose for the town court. People who owed debts or were answerable to the court for certain acts were considered outside its jurisdiction once they got beyond those stones. Orders could be obtained against deceased persons who owed money, and the body arrested and held without burial up to but not exceeding nine days, unless some friend paid the debt. But if the corpse escaped beyond the Gates of Glory, the court could not follow it. Those in the funeral were allowed to stone the bailiff. That is how the stones came to be called the Gates of Glory.

4. Devastation of Corkaguiny in the Black Earl's Raid

   Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry · 1580

   The Black Earl's Raid on Corkaguiny in 1580, recorded in Hooker's Chronicle, left the entire barony devastated. Spencer the poet described the surviving people as emerging like ghouls to feed on corpse, carrion and grass, with the country driven to famine or death under the sword.

   Read the passage

   Spencer the poet described the people *'as emerging like ghouls to feed on corpse, carrion and grass." ''AH such people as the met they did without mercie putte to the sworde By this means the whole countrie having no cattel nor kine left they were driven to such extremities for want of vittels they were either to die or perish in the famine or to die under the sword." — The Black Earl's Raid on Corkaguiny in 1580 in Hooker's Chronicle A. D. 1580.

   (The Burning of Dingle, Lord Gray Slaughter at Fort-del-Ore and the torture of Kerry martyrs and other subjects are lost in the Dublin fire.)

   Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 58

5. Penitent pilgrims from Dingle to Killarney

   Dingle · townland · Kerry · 1849–1852

   During the religious quarrels of the 'Souper campaign,' Catholics who had attended Protestant Bible classes or funeral services were assigned penance requiring them to travel from Dingle to Killarney, over forty miles. Some very old men completed the journey on foot.

   Read the passage

   Penitent Pilgrims of the Cat-Brack. — Catholics attending Protestant Bible classes, reading their literature or listening to a funeral service during the fearful religious quarrels of what is known as the "Souper campaign," as a part of their penance had to go from Dingle to Killarney, a distance of over forty miles. Some very old men did the journey on foot. Amongst the reasons for taking exception to a funeral service was that Protestant writers, in boasting of the success of their mission, classed Roman Catholics standing around the coffin while the funeral service was read at the graveside as "converts" to Protestantism. The result was that Catholics attending the funeral of a Protestant neighbor or relative would accompany the corpse no further than the gate to the graveyard or burial ground or keep a reasonable distance away until the religious services were ended.

   Racing at Weddings.. — The custom of men riding saddle horses, racing with each other to see who would be the first to reach the newly married girl to bring

   Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 90

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, during the years 1849 to 1852, the religious quarrels known as the Souper campaign set Catholics and Protestants against each other. Catholics who had attended Protestant Bible classes, read Protestant literature, or listened to a funeral service were given penance. That penance was a journey from Dingle to Killarney, over forty miles. Some very old men did it on foot. The trouble with funeral services was this: Protestant writers, boasting of their mission's success, counted Catholics who stood around the coffin while the service was read at the graveside as converts to Protestantism. So Catholics attending the funeral of a Protestant neighbour or relative would go with the corpse no further than the gate of the graveyard, or keep a reasonable distance away until the religious services were ended.

6. Soup kitchens and Souperism in the Dingle Peninsula

   Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry · 1845–1852

   During the Great Famine, the Irish Protestant Mission Society set up soup and gruel kitchens in the Dingle Peninsula to induce starving mothers with young children to convert to Protestantism. A Dingle Catholic curate named O'Connor labelled those who accepted the soup on conversion conditions 'Soupers.'

   Read the passage

   Soupers and Souperism. — During the last black famine the Irish Protestant Mission Society established in the Dingle Peninsula soup and gruel kitchens for the purpose of tempting starving mothers with young children to become Protestants. A Dingle Catholic curate named O'Connor called those who accepted the soup on condition of joining the Protestant church or Scripture classes "Soupers." Finally the expression was extended to all of that class of Roman Catholics v/ho while still believing in their former religion went under the color and pretense of converts for lucre and joined the Protestant Church. (See my book on the Skelligs and the Souper Campaign.)

   Spanish Armada. — This was a mighty big fleet of Spanish ships which in 1588 came to fight against England. Alany of them wrecked by a storm on our

   Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 53

7. Attempted evictions near Ballyferriter on Earl of Cork estates

   Ballyferriter · townland · Kerry · 1887

   On February 16, 1887, the Sheriff of Kerry attempted to evict several tenants on the Earl of Cork's estates near Ballyferriter. The Sheriff, accompanied by armed police under District Inspector Gray, set out from Dingle but was met by armed resistance and forced to retreat.

   Read the passage

   Bally-Perriter Evictions. — These were evictions which the Sheriff of Kerry was never able to carry out. On portions of the estates of the Earl of Cork, near Bally-Ferriter, several tenants were to be ejected. On the 16th of February, 1887, the Sheriff with a staff of Bailiffs, protected by a large force of police armed with rifles, bayonets, revolvers and battons, under the command of District Inspector Gray, started from Dingle, towards Bally-Ferriter. Upon reaching a place called Shannacnock, two thousand people assembled. They were armed with pitchforks, scythes and sticks. They forced the Sheriff, his assistants and escort hastily to return to Dingle Several at-

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   Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Ballyferriter, the Sheriff of Kerry tried to carry out evictions he never managed to complete. On the 16th of February, 1887, the Sheriff set out from Dingle with a staff of bailiffs, protected by a large force of police armed with rifles, bayonets, revolvers and batons, under the command of District Inspector Gray. They were heading for portions of the Earl of Cork's estates, where several tenants were to be ejected. But when they reached a place called Shannacnock, two thousand people had assembled, armed with pitchforks, scythes and sticks. They forced the Sheriff, his assistants and escort hastily to return to Dingle.

8. Triple vault with relics of Saints Patrick, Brigid and Columba found at Downpatrick

   near Downpatrick · town · Down · 1185–1186

   In 1185, a triple vault was discovered at Downpatrick containing the bodies of St. Patrick, St. Brigid, and St. Columba. Around 1186, the Pope caused the relics to be placed in the Cathedral of Down, which was later destroyed by order of Henry VIII, though fragments including the head of St. Brigid were saved by clergy.

   Read the passage

   Owing to the Scandinavian raids upon Ireland, in which they tore down churches and monasteries, her body was taken from Kildare and transferred to Down Patrick. In 1185 a triple vault was discovered containing the bodies of St. Patrick, St. Brigid and St. Columba. On the 9th of June, 1186, or thereabouts, the Pope caused the relics of these three great saints to be placed in the Cathedral of Down. This cathedral with its contents was destroyed by order of King Henry VIII. of England, but pieces of the relics, including the head of St. Brigid, were saved by some clergy. The head was carried to Neustadt, in Austria. In 1587, Emperor Rudolf gave it to the Church of the Jesuits at Lisbon. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, her hand is preserved at Lumiar, near Lisbon, Portugal, and another relic is at St. Martin's, Cologne.

   Cat Brack. — This was the name given to printed matter found in Irish primers supplied by the Irish Protestant Society to Irish-speaking Roman Catholics in those parts, because the former, under the color and

   Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 21

9. Judges bringing bad weather to Kerry

   Tralee · townland · Kerry

   A widespread belief in Kerry held that visiting assize judges brought bad weather as punishment for false oaths sworn before them. The weather was notably dark and gloomy during assizes in Tralee, and execution mornings at Tralee Jail were especially marked.

   Read the passage

   Judges Bringing Bad Weather to Kerry. — Many persons believe that the judges of the assizes in their circuit bring with them bad weather to the County of Kerry, due to so many false oaths being sworn before them and therefore so much wrong done in the name of justice. Consequently, apart from any other reason, their lordships are considered very undesirable visitors to the county by most of the people outside of the legal profession. It is quite true that at nearly all times in the last century when the assizes were held in Tralee it was either raining or the sky was dark and gloomy and the weather bad. This probably was due to the season of the year in which the assizes were usually held. However, more noticeable was the weather on the mornings of the executions in Tralee Jail of persons condemned to death by judges and packed juries, but innocent in the minds of the people.

   ♦Whisky is the water of death to every person. The saloonkeeper, or publican, who gives drink to a child or young girl under the age of 21 years is the devil's best agent on earth.

   Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 83

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here in Tralee, there was a belief among many people that the assize judges brought bad weather with them to Kerry. The cause, they said, was the many false oaths sworn before the judges, and so much wrong done in the name of justice. For that reason alone, most people outside the legal profession considered the judges very undesirable visitors to the county. It was true that at nearly all times in the last century, when the assizes were held in Tralee, it was either raining or the sky was dark and gloomy and the weather bad. This was probably due to the season of the year in which the assizes were usually held. But what was more noticeable was the weather on the mornings of executions at Tralee Jail, of persons condemned to death by judges and packed juries, but innocent in the minds of the people.

10. Penal laws forced graveside rites to crossroads in Dingle

    Dingle · townland · Kerry

    When the penal laws were enforced with military stationed in Dingle, the religious rites that should have been said at the graveside for the deceased were instead recited at the old crossroads. This reinforced the ancient practice of praying for the dead at crossroads nearest the graveyards.

    Read the passage

    In the course of time the custom of burying dead bodies on the crossroads went out of practice, and the names of the persons buried there were forgotten, but the habit of lowering the dead body continued and a prayer was offered to God for both those buried on the crossroads and also for the soul of the person whose funeral then took place. Then when the penal laws were enforced, with military in Dingle, the religious rites which should be said at the graveside for the deceased were recited at the old crossroads.* Praying for the dead at ancient crossroads nearest the graveyards, therefore, is an act of piety and charity of an old standing.

    ♦In old Mexico a large wooden cross marks the spot where murders have taken place. On my way over the mountains and grand canyons between Beristan (Carman) and Tepexico, In the State of Pueblo, I saw houses very often having two and three crosses near them, and also that the gable ends of their houses were crowned with one or more crosses. Having heard a good deal of talk about the bandits and murders of that part of the country through which I was passing, I asked if all those crosses which I saw represented murders only. I was informed by the Indians, and Mexicans themselves, that it was for a long time the custom to erect crosses where sudden deaths occurred from other causes, such as suicides, man or woman devoured by a wild beast, or the like, as well as in cases of murder and manslaughter. Furthermore, they told me (through an Italian as interpreter) that the crosses upon so many Indian houses were an exhibition of their attachment to the cross of Christ. I found Pueblo a strong Catholic State, and the crosses are put standing, as near as circumstances will permit, to where the murdered

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 70

11. Spanish spies landed at Dingle and tortured

    Dingle · townland · Kerry · 1580

    Before the Fitzmaurices arrived at Fort-del-Ore, three persons landed in Dingle off Spanish ships and were seized by government spies. Two turned out to be Dr. Patrick O'Haly, Bishop of Mayo, and Father Cornelous O'Rourke, who were tortured by the English to extract a confession.

    Read the passage

    Before the Fitzmaurices arrived in Dingle, or Fortdel-Ore, three persons landed in Dingle off Spanish ships. They were seized by government spies, and first taken before the Earl of Desmond. The vain creature ordered them to be taken before the authorities in Limerick. Two persons turned out to be Dr. Patrick O'Haly, Bishop of Mayo, and Father Cornelous O'Rourke. To extract a confession the English had them tortured. When this failed they were

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    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here in 1580, before the Fitzmaurices arrived at Fort-del-Ore, three persons landed off Spanish ships. Government spies seized them and took them first before the Earl of Desmond. He ordered them taken to the authorities in Limerick. Two of them turned out to be Dr. Patrick O'Haly, Bishop of Mayo, and Father Cornelous O'Rourke. The English had them tortured to extract a confession.

12. St. Stephen's Day wren boys and hobby-horse in Corkaguiny

    Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry

    On St. Stephen's Day (26 December), masked men in straw or women's dress paraded the streets of Corkaguiny carrying a bush with a wren, accompanied by a fife and drum band. A white hobby-horse made of wood and calico was used, with a dancer beneath it operating a snapping jaw, and a purser collecting contributions while beating bystanders with bladders on sticks.

    Read the passage

    St. Stephen's Day. — As everybody knows, this day falls on the 26th of December. A peculiar custom connected with this day still lingers in those parts. Men dressed in straw or like women, wearing masks with face blackened, carrying flags, a bush with a wren fastened to it, and having a fife and drum band playing about them, parade the streets. They dance and make merriment and are always followed by a big crowd. One of the company carries a white hobbyhorse, which is an imitation of a horse made of wood and covered with white calico. Under the hobby-horse the party are supposed to have one of their best dancers. The under jaw of the hobbyhorse is to work with a string so that it cracks in time with his step and also the steps of all the dancers. This part of the program is not easily done and therefore is often neglected. After dancing a little, they change the performance and the hobbyhorse, carrying a ladle in its mouth, is sent around to collect contributions while a purser enters the horse beating every person with bladders tied onto the end of a stick.

    It appears these sports originated at the Feast of Fools in the Christian churches and monasteries of other countries from whom we borrowed them. St. Stephen's Day was specially set aside for deacons and other orders of the clergy^ who were not able to enjoy

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 95

13. Corkaguiny magistrates and Dingle justice

    Dingle · townland · Kerry · 1720–1822

    From 1720 to 1822, the Corkaguiny justices of the peace refused to allow attorneys to plead before them, deciding cases by 'Dingle justice' instead of law. The magistrates' houses were filled with smuggled goods, and they sat more often to protect smugglers than to enforce the law.

    Read the passage

    Corkaguiny Magistrates Disliked Attorneys and Decided Cases According to Dingle Justice. — From 1720 downward to 1822 the Corkaguiny justices of the peace would not allow any attorney-at-law to plead before them, but instead of deciding cases according to law settled them in conformity with "Dingle justice." Whenever an attorney was brought at high expense from Tralee to appear before them, the cases in which he was engaged were adjourned from court to court and his client in the end defeated.

    Lady Chattam in her visit to Dingle noticed that cases were not decided in keeping with "the law," but according "to justice." She did not know that the houses of the Dingle magistrates were filled with smuggled goods, and that they reaped a rich harvest from several just but illegal trades. Therefore they sat more often for the protection of the smugglers than the enforcement of the law. (See "His. Co. Kerry" — Corkaguiny. )

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 24

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, from 1720 down to 1822, the Corkaguiny justices of the peace refused to let any attorney-at-law plead before them. Instead of deciding cases according to law, they settled them by what was called Dingle justice. Whenever an attorney was brought at high expense from Tralee to appear before them, the cases he was engaged in were adjourned from court to court, and his client was in the end defeated. Lady Chattam, on her visit to Dingle, noticed that cases were not decided by the law but according to justice. She did not know that the houses of the Dingle magistrates were filled with smuggled goods, and that they reaped a rich harvest from several just but illegal trades. They sat more often for the protection of the smugglers than for the enforcement of the law.

14. Daniel O'Connell's repeal meeting at Tara

    Tara · parish · Meath

    Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator, held a massive repeal meeting on the hill of Tara in County Meath, the ancient coronation site of the Kings of Ireland, attended by approximately one million persons.

    Read the passage

    Vara. — On a hill in the County Meath stood a court called Tara, where the Kings of Ireland were crowned. Daniel O'Connel, the Liberator, held a repeal meeting there which was attended by one million persons.

    people carried on in the false color and pretense of patriotism for Xhe benefit of gold crazed human wolves, as between the three leading nations at war, the author is neutral. However, he is opposed to the shedding of blood in such a wicked cause, or fond Irish mothers raising children to be targets for rifles at the becking of every false leader. Look at the fruits those rulers and politicians of Europe produced; they have washed the frontier red with a sea of human blood; peaceful homes are in ruins; the wild wail of women, children or aged parents cannot stop their hungry craving for human slaughter; by soldiers at home and abroad women are ravaged; the flower of Europe are drawn from the common people by thousands, and most of them must pay for militarism with their life's blood in the trenches. Cattle, sheep, hares and deer, will take the places of Irish, Scotch, Welch, and English, shot down in this war.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 54

15. Shea surname and drowning superstition

    Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry · 1816–1916

    Fishermen in harbors throughout the Corkaguiny peninsula are reluctant to take anyone named Shea or O'Shea on their boats, fearing drowning. The surname Shea overwhelmingly outstrips all others among those drowned in the peninsula within the last century, reinforcing the superstition.

    Read the passage

    Shea-Hated by the Mermaids of the Sea. — It is almost impossible for persons bearing the name of Shea or O'Shea to obtain partners to join them fishing in any harbor in the barony, due to the fact that people are afraid that if they had an O'Shea or Shea in their boats or canoes they would be drowned. For this belief a thousand reasons are sometimes given. However, after setting aside tales appertaining to mermaids, spirits of the deep, legends and superstitions, the striking fact remains that of the names of persons drowned in this peninsula within the last century the surname of Shea or O'Shea outstrip all others, and this is the more remarkable when taken into consideration that through fear in storms very few of them will take the risks of their fellow fishermen. Possibly when caught in sea trouble the want of confidence arising from superstition may have something to do with it.

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    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 91

16. Danish settlement at Broadford in Kerry

    Broadford · town · Limerick · 795–1015

    Broadford was listed among the chief towns of the Danish and Norwegian settlers in Kerry. The Danes used these seaboard towns as bases for raiding monasteries, robbing the people, and ravaging the countryside for some two hundred and twenty years before being driven out by Irish kings and chiefs.

    Read the passage

    The Danes in Ireland. — About the year 795, Danish and Norwegian pirates appeared in ships upon the Irish coast. Here and there they sailed into harbors, landed, ran into the country, robbed the people, ravaged women, tossed children from lance to lance for pleasure, drank the blood of their victims, imitated the dogs in their wild ferocity, set houses on fire and successfully returned to their ships before their very presence in the locality became generally known. Year after year they increased in numbers. In the summer they came like swarms of flies. They robbed monasteries, tore up fine Irish arts, took ornaments off books and killed the monks After some time parties of them settled on the seaboard. Their chief towns in Kerry were Ballinagaul, Ballylangford and Broadford. For two hundred and twenty years they held their criminal sway of rape, murder and robbery over the inhabitants of the seaboard of Ireland. In several engagements they were defeated and driven from Ireland by the Irish kings, chiefs and princes. However,

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 4

17. Penal laws following the broken Treaty of Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1692–1701

    Contrary to the Treaty of Limerick, Catholics were excluded from the Irish Parliament in 1692. Catholic education was declared a crime, priests found in Ireland were branded with redhot irons, and Catholics could not own a horse worth more than five pounds.

    Read the passage

    Treaty of Limerick Broken. — In 1692, contrary to the articles of the treaty of Limerick, the Catholics were excluded from the Irish Parliament. Education of a Catholic child, shortly afterwards, was declared to be a serious crime. Catholics were required to take an oath declaring the mass damnable. No Catholic could learn a trade.

    In 1701, contrary to the treaty of Limerick, Catholic solicitors were disqualified. Priests found in Ireland were branded with redhot irons on the cheeks. The law made it death to shelter, and penal servitude to know where a priest was concealed and not to inform the government. Priests were dragged from the altars, branded, disemboweled, quartered, hanged and transported. A Catholic could not have a horse worth more than five pounds (twenty-five dollars). Any Protestant tendering a Roman Catholic five pounds for his horse, the horse would have to go.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 11

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, you are passing through the place where a treaty was made and then broken. In 1692, contrary to the articles of the Treaty of Limerick, Catholics were excluded from the Irish Parliament. Shortly after, the education of a Catholic child was declared a serious crime. Catholics were required to take an oath declaring the mass damnable. No Catholic could learn a trade. In 1701, again contrary to the treaty, Catholic solicitors were disqualified. Priests found in Ireland were branded with redhot irons on the cheeks. The law made it death to shelter a priest, and penal servitude to know where one was concealed and not inform the government. Priests were dragged from the altars, branded, disemboweled, quartered, hanged and transported. A Catholic could not own a horse worth more than 5 pounds. Any Protestant tendering a Catholic 5 pounds for his horse, the horse would have to go.

18. Wool smuggling in caves west of Dingle

    Dingle · townland · Kerry · 1700–1720

    In the early eighteenth century, when British law restricted wool exports, farmers around Dingle smuggled wool to France. Every cave to the west of Dingle was filled with wool awaiting transport to ships, and smuggled wines and brandies were hidden in chambers within forts and cahirs near the coast.

    Read the passage

    Pagan Wells, Liscs and Fairy Talcs. — Lises are found everywhere in the barony. They were erected within view of each other, so that in event of an attack on one lis or a fort a fire kept burning would be extinguished as an alarm signal. These forts are surrounded by the best quality of land in their immediate vicinity. Fairy tales are connected with every one of them. Some people frightened the lives in little children with fairy tales and ghost stories. Those stories had this much of a foundation in our locality : In the beginning of the Eighteenth Century when the British law prohibited the exportation or sale of wool to any other country but to themselves, farmers became engaged in smuggling wool to France, where they received as high as two shilling, sixpence (sixty cents) a pound from France. Cutters brought wines and brandies with them, which were often hidden in specially prepared chambers in forts, lises and cahirs, near the sea coast. To keep children away so as not to give information, they told them that the men seen in those forts and lises were fairies. This helped to prolong the life of the old tales. Every cave to the west of Dingle was filled with wool, trying to smuggle it to a convenient place for loading it into ships. The French pretended they were carrying from Ireland emigrants called the ''Wild Geese," i. e.. Catholics who were forbidden by law to live in Ireland. The magistrates who were supposed to stop it were engaged in this illicit trade. Amongst the most objectionable was their description of the headless coach leaving a burial ground going in the direction of some dying person and returning with its victim, the Banshee's lonely wail, the appearance of a golden-haired

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    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 88

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Dingle, the caves to the west were once full of wool. In the early 1700s, British law prohibited the export or sale of wool to any country but England. So the farmers here began smuggling wool to France, where they could get as high as two shillings and sixpence a pound for it. Every cave to the west of Dingle was filled with wool, waiting to be moved to a convenient place for loading onto ships. The French ships that came for the wool pretended they were carrying emigrants out of Ireland, people called the Wild Geese, Catholics who were forbidden by law to live in the country. The cutters brought wines and brandies back with them, and these were hidden in specially prepared chambers in forts, lises and cahirs near the sea coast. To keep children away from those places, and to stop them giving information, the smugglers told them that the men seen in those forts and lises were fairies. That helped prolong the life of the old fairy tales in this area. The magistrates who were supposed to stop the smuggling were themselves engaged in the trade. The forts and lises around here were built within view of each other, so a fire kept burning as an alarm signal could be extinguished if one was attacked. The best land in the locality surrounds them.

19. Cloghane Pattern Day honouring Crom Duff

    Cloghane · townland · Kerry

    A pattern is held on the last Sunday of July at Cloghane. The old people believe it originated in honour of a pagan chieftain called Crom Duff, one of the deities of the Irish Druids. The last Sunday in summer is called Black Crom, sacred to St Patrick's overthrow of such idols.

    Read the passage

    Cloghane Pattern Day. — This pattern is held on the last Sunday of July in each year. The old people of the parish believe that it originated in honor of a pagan chieftain called Crom Duff, signifying Crom of the Heap of Stones, one of the deities of the Irish Druids. The last Sunday in Summer is called Black Crom, being held sacred to St. Patrick as the anniversary of commemorating the destruction of this class of idols as well as others of a like nature.

    Cromleacs, composed of huge stones, the selection of ancient Druids, are to be found in the Parish of Ballyduff, and other like evidence in the neighborhood which go to show that the district was the scene of ancient ceremonies. Tradition gives credit to a pagan chieftain for building the old church, the remains of which stand at the east end of the dismantled Protestant church in Cloghane burial ground. However, the present structure was not erected for many centuries after paganism was overthrown. It is probable that

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 23

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Cloghane, a pattern is held on the last Sunday of July each year. The old people of the parish believe it began in honour of a pagan chieftain called Crom Duff, meaning Crom of the Heap of Stones, one of the deities of the Irish Druids. The last Sunday in summer is called Black Crom, held sacred to Saint Patrick as the anniversary of the destruction of this class of idols and others of a like nature. Cromleacs, composed of huge stones chosen by the ancient Druids, are found in the parish of Ballyduff, and other evidence in the neighbourhood shows the district was the scene of ancient ceremonies. Tradition gives credit to a pagan chieftain for building the old church whose remains stand at the east end of the dismantled Protestant church in Cloghane burial ground. The present structure, however, was not erected for many centuries after paganism was overthrown.

20. Cromwell takes Drogheda and seizes Irish lands

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1649–1650

    Cromwell landed in Ireland and took Drogheda, killing women, children, and priests. He then confiscated the real and personal estates of the people, parceling the lands among his officers who became Irish landlords.

    Read the passage

    landed in Ireland, took Drogheda, killed women and children and put the priests to the sword; he caused both the real and personal estate of the people to be seized and had the lands parcelled up amongst his officers or "gamesters." These, together with some of Queen Elizabeth's followers, became Irish landlords and tyrants of the worst kind. The people who reclaimed, tilled, improved and erected buildings on those lands, could not understand how a foreigner who never tilled or improved one inch of land could claim ownership of everything which the farmer raised. For two hundred and fifty years, war has gone on between the landlords and the tillers of the soil. Today the descendants of ancient occupiers of the holdings are repossessing same and Cromwell landlords are disappearing.

    Cromwell. — When Cromwell died, England did not become a Republic, and again a king in the person of Charles II ascended the throne.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 9

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Drogheda, the town the road passes through. In 1649 Cromwell landed in Ireland and took Drogheda. He killed the women and the children and put the priests to the sword. He had both the real and personal estate of the people seized, and the lands parcelled up among his officers, or "gamesters." These men, together with some of Queen Elizabeth's followers, became Irish landlords. The people who had reclaimed, tilled, improved and built on those lands could not understand how a foreigner who never tilled or improved one inch of land could claim ownership of everything the farmer raised. For 250 years war went on between the landlords and the tillers of the soil. The descendants of the ancient occupiers are now repossessing those holdings, and the Cromwell landlords are disappearing.

21. Fairy tales and forts of the barony

    Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry · 1700–1720

    Lises (ringforts) are found everywhere in the barony of Corkaguiny, erected within view of each other for use as alarm-signal stations. Fairy tales became attached to these forts, partly because smugglers hiding contraband in them told children the men seen there were fairies to prevent discovery.

    Read the passage

    Pagan Wells, Liscs and Fairy Talcs. — Lises are found everywhere in the barony. They were erected within view of each other, so that in event of an attack on one lis or a fort a fire kept burning would be extinguished as an alarm signal. These forts are surrounded by the best quality of land in their immediate vicinity. Fairy tales are connected with every one of them. Some people frightened the lives in little children with fairy tales and ghost stories. Those stories had this much of a foundation in our locality : In the beginning of the Eighteenth Century when the British law prohibited the exportation or sale of wool to any other country but to themselves, farmers became engaged in smuggling wool to France, where they received as high as two shilling, sixpence (sixty cents) a pound from France. Cutters brought wines and brandies with them, which were often hidden in specially prepared chambers in forts, lises and cahirs, near the sea coast. To keep children away so as not to give information, they told them that the men seen in those forts and lises were fairies. This helped to prolong the life of the old tales. Every cave to the west of Dingle was filled with wool, trying to smuggle it to a convenient place for loading it into ships. The French pretended they were carrying from Ireland emigrants called the ''Wild Geese," i. e.. Catholics who were forbidden by law to live in Ireland. The magistrates who were supposed to stop it were engaged in this illicit trade. Amongst the most objectionable was their description of the headless coach leaving a burial ground going in the direction of some dying person and returning with its victim, the Banshee's lonely wail, the appearance of a golden-haired

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    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 88

22. Forty-shilling freeholders in Kerry villages

    Smerwick · townland · Kerry

    Landlords divided holdings into patches valued at forty shillings to multiply votes at Parliamentary elections. In villages including North Cahirdorgan, Kildurry, Cahirs, Culibeen, Smerwick, Ballybrack and others, a surprisingly large number of votes were obtained by this means, with small holders usually voting as their immediate lessors requested.

    Read the passage

    Forty-Shilling Freeholders.. — Persons (men) in occupation of very small holdings with an annual valuation of both buildings and land combined amounting to forty shillings or over, were entitled to vote at Parliamentary elections. Landlords who used their tenants as voting instruments encouraged the dividing of holdings into as many patches with a valuation of forty shillings as was possible so as to multiply votes. In villages like North Cahirdorgan, Kildurry, Cahirs, Culibeen, Smerwick, Ballybrack and others a surprisingly large number of votes were obtained by this means. Usually the small holders voted as their immediate lessors requested. They were deprived of their votes with the passing of Catholic emancipation and the valuation has increased to ten pounds. O'Connell was blamed for it, but he is credited with having said that he would not accept Catholic emancipation if he knew that by so doing the forty-shilling freeholders would have to be sacrificed. The general belief is that he was in full accord with it from the start, in order to check a too rapid growth in the population of the country.

    Gaudy Ribbon Crosses (St. Patrick's Day). — These of various colors were sold on our streets some thirtyfive years ago and worn on children's arms on St. Patrick's Day, but are now wholly extinct. A green rosette with a harp is now worn in front on the left breast instead. (See "His. Co. Kerry," page 37.)

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 28

23. Glenbeigh evictions and house burnings

    Glenbeigh · town · Kerry · 1887

    Evictions took place around 1887 in Glenbeigh, County Kerry. At the suggestion of General Buller, the agent had tenants' houses destroyed by fire. Edward Harrington M.P. and Mr. Sheehan M.P. played prominent parts in opposing the carrying out of those evictions.

    Read the passage

    Glcnheigh Bvictions. — These took place in 1887, or thereabouts. At the suggestion of General Revvers Buller, who was then in Ireland, the agent had the tenants' houses destroyed by fire. Mr. Edward Harrington, M. P., and Mr. Sheehan, M. P., played a prominent part in opposing the carrying out of those evictions.

    Great Famine. — This famine started in both Ireland and England in 1315, or thereabouts. Mothers were known to devour their own children, and children ate their dead parents. Parents stole the children of others to eat them. Starving women started dancing around open air fires, to attract children so as to kill and cook them. Dead bodies were taken from the graves to be used for food. In jails prisoners ate each other. This famine, and the pestilence that accompanied it coming and going, lasted about eightyfive years.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 29

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Glenbeigh in Kerry, you are passing through the scene of evictions that took place around 1887. At the suggestion of General Buller, who was then in Ireland, the agent had the tenants' houses destroyed by fire. Edward Harrington, member of Parliament, and Mr. Sheehan, member of Parliament, played a prominent part in opposing the carrying out of those evictions.

24. Snap Apple Nights and Hallow Eve divination in Corkaguiny

    Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry · 1800–1916

    On All Hallow Eve (31 October), young people in Corkaguiny practised divination using beans, apples, and melted lead to predict future spouses. The author notes that by the late 19th century these customs had largely shifted from sincere belief to pure sport, with few exceptions remaining.

    Read the passage

    Snap Apple Nights, or All Hallozv Eve. — This night falls on the 31st of October. Up until near the end of the last century, it was a night of sport by young people in those parts by trying to extract fun and prophecy from fruit and beans. Amongst other things, they place beans together in pairs in the ashes close to the heat of the fire for the supposed lovers, one named for the boy and the other for the girl. If the beans burn brightly and quietly together, it indicated that the young man and the young girl so indicated would be married, but if they cracked and jumped apart from each other they would never be married. From the ashes many a strange tale would be foretold. After one pair jumped apart, another pair of beans would be tried and some other likely lovers named for each.

    Young persons also would dip for apples in tubs of water and endeavor to bring one up in the mouth by pressing it against the bottom of the tub. Sometimes an apple would hang from a cord and they would try to catch it with their mouths while in circular motion. In catching apples, hands should not be used.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 92

25. St. Martin's Eve blood ritual in Corkaguiny

    Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry

    On St. Martin's Eve (11 November), farming families in Corkaguiny killed an animal such as a goose, duck, hen, or cock, and sprinkled the blood on the outside threshold of the door and sometimes the four corners of the dwelling. The author regards it as a curious custom of possibly Christian charitable origin that had lost its true meaning over time.

    Read the passage

    St. Martin's Bve. — It appears that St. Martin was buried on the 11th of November. In some country homes amongst farmers I noticed that on St. Martin's Eve some animal was killed, such as a goose, a duck, a hen or a cock, and that the outside threshold of the door was sprinkled with the blood of the animal killed for St Martin. Some went as far as to sprinkle the four corners of their dwelling houses with blood. I believe this had a Christian charitable origin and in the course of age lost its true meaning and character. Whether Christian or pagan, it is a very curious custom, and I see no good in it for the present age.

    St. Patrick and the Snakes. — Are there any snakes to be found in Ireland ? Did St. Patrick banish them ? These are questions which Americans ask me daily. My answer to the first question is that I never saw nor heard of any snake living in Ireland since the days of St. Patrick. Ireland does not produce any venomous reptile. The following are not to be found there, viz., snakes, tortoises, scorpions or dragons. Leeches, lizards and frogs are numerous, but these are harmless. I am told that snakes brought over to Ireland will die or lose their venom before they land. Sailors who say they have tried it tell me that as they were drawing near the land the snakes died. Circuses will not attempt to cross the Irish Sea from England with

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 93

26. White Boys assembly place at Cnockane-na-houchaelee-hawna

    Cloghane · townland · Kerry · 1761–1763

    During the White Boy uprisings of 1761–1763, local White Boys assembled at a place called Cnockane-na-houchaelee-hawna near Ballynalackon in Cloghane parish. The White Boys resisted tithes and enclosure of commons, destroying cattle to prevent starvation if famine came.

    Read the passage

    White Boys. — These were a body of young men who appeared in many places in Munster betv/een 1761 and 1763. The reason they were called White Boys was because they wore white linen frocks and shirts over their coats. They openly resisted the enclosure of commons and the compulsory payment of excessive tithes levied on Roman Catholics for the support of ministers, wardens, preachers and the upkeep of Protestant churches. Because the tax was raised chiefly on tillage lands, consequently it forced the farmers to sow very little potatoes and let their lands for grazing. The horrors of the artificial famines created by the tithes between 1739 and 1748 when mothers devoured their own children and children ate their dead parents was fresh in the memory of the people. Then the Protestant Church of Ireland was not the church of the people. In one of the White Boy uprisings, by hamstringing and like methods they killed and destroyed cattle in thousands making certain that if a potato famine existed that year there would be plenty of meat to prevent starvation. In this great cattle slaughter farmers' sons, unknown to their fathers, took the lead in maiming their own cattle. At Ballynalackon in the Parish of Cloghane, is a place

    63

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 61

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Cloghane, the White Boys gathered at a place called Cnockane-na-houchaelee-hawna, near Ballynalackon. The White Boys were young men who appeared across Munster between 1761 and 1763. They wore white linen frocks and shirts over their coats, which is how they got their name. They openly resisted the enclosure of commons and the compulsory payment of excessive tithes levied on Roman Catholics for the support of ministers, wardens, preachers and the upkeep of Protestant churches. The tax fell chiefly on tillage lands, so it forced farmers to sow very few potatoes and let their land for grazing instead. The people still remembered the artificial famines caused by the tithes between 1739 and 1748, when mothers devoured their own children and children ate their dead parents. The Protestant Church of Ireland was not the church of the people. In one of the uprisings, the White Boys killed and destroyed cattle in thousands, by hamstringing and like methods, making certain that if a potato famine came that year there would be plenty of meat to prevent starvation. Farmers' sons, unknown to their fathers, took the lead in maiming their own cattle.

27. Ferriter and Father Moriarty hanged at Killarney

    Killarney · townland · Kerry · 1653

    Pierce Ferriter, the last Catholic chieftain to hold out against Cromwell's forces, was hanged at Killarney in 1653 together with Father T. Moriarty. This was done in direct violation of English pledges.

    Read the passage

    and put the priests and women to sword. Pierce Ferriter held Kerry against the EngHsh for ten years. Ferriter was the last Catholic chieftain to hold out against Cromwell's forces. In direct violation of the English pledges, Ferriter was hanged at Killarney in 1653, together with Father T. Moriarty.

    Croivhar Brigade. — This was applied to the Sheriff and landlords' bailiffs because, armed with crowbars and protected by police, they forced an entry into the houses of those to be ejected and demolished the homes of the evicted tenants. They also often carried a battering ram, i. e, timber bound with irons, hoist on poles, and swung against the sides of the buildings.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 25

28. House-League fixes fair rents in Dingle

    Dingle · townland · Kerry · 1886

    The House League was introduced around 1886 through the Irish National League to check house owners from charging exorbitant rents. In Dingle, the League fixed fair rents and compelled owners to give clear receipts, though courts later held the receipts invalid and old rents were recovered.

    Read the passage

    House-League. — This league was introduced into those parts in 1886, through the Irish National League. The object of the House League was to check the owners of houses from charging exorbitant rents to the occupants. In Dingle, Castlegregory, and other places, the League fixed "fair rents" and compelled the owners to give clear receipts, on payment of the new rents. For various reasons, the House League was never popular. As intimidation was practiced by the House League upon the owners of houses, the law courts held the receipts given invalid, and the old rents were recovered.

    Influenza. — This is one of the most contagious diseases known, and far more dangerous than most people believe. Its last serious appearance amongst the people was in 1889-90. Every time it started from China and traveled the world quicker than any other

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 31

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1886, the House League arrived through the Irish National League. Its aim was to stop house owners charging exorbitant rents to the people living in their houses. In Dingle, Castlegregory, and other places, the League fixed what it called fair rents and compelled the owners to give clear receipts when the new rents were paid. For various reasons, the House League was never popular. Because intimidation was practiced by the House League upon the owners of houses, the law courts held the receipts invalid, and the old rents were recovered. So the fix did not hold. The courts undid what the League had pressed the owners to do, and the rents went back to what they had been before.

29. St. Brigid founded her convent under an oak tree at Kildare

    Kildare · town · Kildare · 452–1220

    St. Brigid founded her convent under or near an oak tree, from which the town and county of Kildare took their present name. Her nuns kept a fire continually burning day and night in her memory, which was not extinguished until 1220 when the Archbishop of Dublin ordered it put out as it was becoming an object of superstition.

    Read the passage

    called Foghert, near Dundalk. She founded her convent under or near an oak tree, from which the town and county of Kildare took their present name.

    She was the mother and foundress of many others and was known as the "Wonderful Worker" throughout Ireland. On the 1st of February, 525, she died and was buried at Kildare. Her nuns honored her memory so much that they kept a fire continually burning both day and night which was not extinguished until 1220, when the Archbishop of Dublin ordered it to be put out, as it was fast becoming the object of superstition.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up through Kildare now. St. Brigid founded her convent here, under or near an oak tree, and from that tree the town and county took their name. She was known as the Wonderful Worker throughout Ireland. She died on the 1st of February, 525, and was buried at Kildare. Her nuns honoured her memory by keeping a fire continually burning, both day and night. That fire was not extinguished until 1220, when the Archbishop of Dublin ordered it put out, as it was fast becoming the object of superstition.

30. Crossroads funeral custom west of Dingle

    Dingle · townland · Kerry

    At funerals to the west of Dingle, a custom prevailed of lowering the coffin at certain ancient crossroads and praying for the dead. The practice originated from suicides being buried at crossroads, as they were not allowed in consecrated ground.

    Read the passage

    Ancient Crossroads and Burial Customs. — At funerals to the west of Dingle, a custom prevails of lowering the coffin containing the remains at certain ancient crossroads and praying for the dead. This is not practiced on the Castle Gregory side of Brandon Mountain, but there, on lowering the coffin into the grave, the nails are drawn from the cover of the coffin.

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    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 69

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Dingle, at funerals to the west, a custom prevailed of lowering the coffin at certain ancient crossroads and praying for the dead. It began with suicides being buried at crossroads, as they were not allowed in consecrated ground. On the Castle Gregory side of Brandon Mountain, the coffin was instead lowered into the grave and the nails drawn from its cover.

31. Haunted houses in the barony of Corkaguiny

    Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry

    Only three houses in the entire barony of Corkaguiny were known to have the reputation of being haunted. The author attributed many ghost stories to thieves and fraudsters manufacturing ghosts, as well as fears arising from unnatural deaths such as murder or suicide.

    Read the passage

    Haunted Houses.. — Three houses in the whole barony of Corkaguiny are all I can discover to have the reputation of being haunted now. Thieves, robbers and persons of fraudulent and dishonest intentions manufactured ghosts and imposed them on their innocent neighbors as haunting certain places, while in other cases where an unnatural death took place, such as murder, suicide or the like, a fear would sieze the person finding the corpse or one hearing about it. Children seeing white boys assembled by night in open places and not knowing who they were prolonged the belief in the ghosts and fairies.

    Headless Coach Stories. — These are wicked lies which were told on winter nights at the firesides by old people and imposed upon children as real truth. To make it more serious, the storyteller would put on a long, solemn face and speak in whispers. He would start and describe in detail the make, appearance and movements of the headless coach, thereby terrorizing the very lives in us children, so much

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 81

32. Spaniards at Fort del Oro in Smerwick Harbour

    Smerwick Harbour · harbour · Kerry · 1580

    During the Great Desmond Wars in 1580, Spaniards bearing a Pope's banner were stationed at Fort-del-Ore in Smerwick Harbour. The Earl of Ormond marched to oppose them and also sought to capture the 15th Earl of Desmond to seize his confiscated estates.

    Read the passage

    Thierna-Diibh's Raid, or the Black Barl's Raid. — This was applied to the Earl of Ormond, who was Lord Governor of Munster. During the Great Desmond Wars, in 1580, he converted the whole barony of Corkaguiny into one great slaughter-house. He went to oppose the Spaniards, then with a Pope's banner, at Fort-del-Ore, in Smerwick Harbor, and also to capture the 15th Earl of Desmond, a Catholic, because the latter was suspected of favoring his cousins in a rebellion against the British crown, and Ormond was anxious to possess Desmond's confiscated estates. At Tralee, Ormond, the Black Earl, divided his forces into three divisions, and from thence marched westward towards Dingle, through Slieve-Mish. In this journey the English soldiers slaughtered every man, woman and child they met. At Standbally, they tossed the children for pastime from pike to pike and next stabbed to death the feeble mothers. Father Dominick O'Daly calls it ''Cooling their impious thirst with the blood of Catholics." Classing Father O'Daly as a supporter of the Desmonds and rejecting his evidence and taking their own evidence, the author finds that in the commander's letters to Queen Elizabeth they promised "If God will give us bread, we doubt not but to

    the tears of widows and tho crying orphans you caused, standing before you. You may be sure a just God will not be fooled by the arguments of cunning counselors, judges, ministers, priests, bishops or pious frauds, who may be hired or engaged to bring their country's youth to the slaughter house.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 56

33. Brideoge custom on St. Brigid's Day in Corkaguiny

    Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry

    An ancient custom of carrying a Brideoge on St. Brigid's Day and receiving gifts in her name still survived in the Corkaguiny area, though in a dying form. Eggs were typically given in country homes, but if recipients were seen drinking intoxicating liquors with the proceeds, they were discouraged from returning.

    Read the passage

    Brigid's (Saint) Day.. — This falls on the 1st of February of each year, and formerly was observed as a holy day in honor of the death of St. Brigid, she being the founder of the famous nunnery of Kildare and the patroness of Ireland. In those parts a pretty ancient custom of carrying a Brideoge on St. Brigid'^ Day, and receiving gifts in her name, still survives, although in a dying form. In country homes eggs were usually given to those accompanying or carrying Brideoge. However, if any of those receiving these gifts were seen drinking intoxicating liquors with the proceeds of St. Brigid's Day, it would be made sufficiently clear to some member of the party that thereafter their visits were undesirable, and the next time they came around they were to go empty-handed.

    St. Brigid was born about the year 452 at a place

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 20

34. Glas-Guineach cow and thief at Kilmalkedar

    Kilmalkedar · townland · Kerry

    A remarkable cow called the Glas-Guineach, belonging to monks at Kilmalkedar, gave large quantities of milk. When a thief attempted to steal her, the monks cut his finger prints and the cow's hoof impressions into stone as a warning. Children inclined to steal were reminded of this story.

    Read the passage

    Glas-Guineach. — This cow was remarkable for giving a large quantity of milk. She belonged to the monks then residing at Kilmalckedor, was well fed

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    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 80

35. Parson Moriarty 'Thomas-An Aehig' of Dingle District

    Dingle · townland · Kerry

    A Protestant clergyman known as Parson Moriarty, a native of the Dingle District and late of Millstreet, County Cork, was nicknamed 'Thomas-An Aehig' for misrepresenting the religious practices of his Catholic neighbors in writings addressed to outsiders.

    Read the passage

    Thomas-An Aehig. — Parson Moriarty, late of Millstreet, County Cork, a native of the Dingle District, was so-called because in his writings addressed to outsiders he placed under false colors the religious practices of his Catholic neighbors, and manufactured crimes on paper out of trifles.

    (See my book on the Skellig, Blasket Islands and the West of Dingle for the state of religion in those parts during the Souper Campaign.)

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 59

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Dingle, a Protestant clergyman called Parson Moriarty was born. He was later of Millstreet, County Cork. People called him Thomas-An Aehig because in his writings addressed to outsiders he placed the religious practices of his Catholic neighbors under false colors and manufactured crimes on paper out of trifles.

36. Tenants' Defense League branch founded in Castlegregory

    Castlegregory · town · Kerry · 1888

    A branch of the Tenants' Defense League, formed after the suppression of the Irish National League by Balfour's Coercion Act of 1887, was established in Castlegregory in the winter of 1888. It was started by Rev. John Molyneaux, then parish priest of Castlegregory.

    Read the passage

    Tenants' Defense League. — This was an offshoot of the suppressed Land League, and Irish National League. It was formed after the latter was suppressed by Balfour's Coercion Act of 1887. The object of this league was to defend the tenant farmers against tyrannical landlords, and to obtain the land for the people at just rents. This league was announced by Parnell and William O'Brien in July of 1888. In the winter of that year a branch of it was started in Castle-Gregory by the Rev. John Molyneaux, then P. P. of Castlegregory.

    Tenant League. — This league was organized in 1850. On the 4th of July, 1851, a great meeting was held on the site of the Battle of the Boyne. In 1852 a general election took place and about fifty-eight leaguers were elected. However, their leaders broke their pledges, betrayed the Irish people, destroyed the party and within a few years after killed themselves. A branch of this league was established in Dingle.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 55

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Castlegregory in Kerry, a branch of the Tenants' Defense League was started in the winter of 1888 by the Reverend John Molyneaux, then parish priest of this parish. The Tenants' Defense League was an offshoot of the suppressed Land League and Irish National League. It was formed after the Irish National League was suppressed by Balfour's Coercion Act of 1887. The object of the league was to defend the tenant farmers against tyrannical landlords and to obtain the land for the people at just rents. The league was announced by Parnell and William O'Brien in July of 1888, and in the winter of that year the branch was established in this town.

37. Treaty of Limerick signed and subsequently broken

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1691–1692

    After fighting continued for over a year from the Boyne to Limerick and Athlone, the generals of both armies signed the Treaty of Limerick on 3 October 1691, granting full religious liberties to Roman Catholics. England soon wilfully broke the treaty.

    Read the passage

    The Irish, although deserted by the King and others, continued the fight for over one year from the River Boyne to the walls of Limerick and Athlone. On the 3rd of October, 1691, the generals of both armies signed the famous treaty of Limerick. According to the articles signed, full religious liberties were granted to the Roman Catholics, but no sooner did the Irish soldiers sail away to France, than England wilfully and wickedly broke the treaty. England has never yet kept a treaty with the Irish, if it stood in the way of plunder or gain.

    11

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 10

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Limerick, this is the city where the famous treaty was signed on the 3rd of October, 1691. The Irish had kept fighting for over a year, from the Boyne to the walls of Limerick and Athlone, though deserted by the King and others. The generals of both armies signed the treaty, granting full religious liberties to Roman Catholics. But no sooner did the Irish soldiers sail away to France than England wilfully and wickedly broke it. As the book says, England has never yet kept a treaty with the Irish, if it stood in the way of plunder or gain.

38. William of Orange lands at Carrickfergus

    near Carrickfergus · town · Antrim · 1690

    William, Prince of Orange, landed at Carrick-a-fergus on 14 June 1690 and found himself at the head of about 40,000 men. He then led his army in person at the Battle of the Boyne against King James II.

    Read the passage

    King James was one of the greatest cowards that ever lived. With his EngHsh troops he lost almost every engagement in England. He then fell back on Ireland. William, Prince of Orange, on landing in Carrick-a-fergus, Ireland, on the 14th day of June, 1690, found himself at the head of about 40,000 men. The Irish had no love for any British king. However, priests and Catholic leaders influenced the Irish to come to aid King James, on the pretense that his own daughter and her Protestant husband, a foreigner, were depriving this old man of his kingdom because he was a Catholic. The Irish, blinded with sympathy, entered the fight. On the 1st of July, 1690, the Battle of the Boyne was fought. William in person led his own army while King James stood at a distance, ready to mount his horse and ride away if the battle should be favorable to the Prince of Orange. The Irish fought bravely for over half the day, but as they began to retreat in good order, the English King mounted his horse and rode away into Dublin, leaving the Irish fighting behind him. He was designated "Dirty James" by the Irish.

    The Irish, although deserted by the King and others, continued the fight for over one year from the River Boyne to the walls of Limerick and Athlone. On the 3rd of October, 1691, the generals of both armies signed the famous treaty of Limerick. According to the articles signed, full religious liberties were granted to the Roman Catholics, but no sooner did the Irish soldiers sail away to France, than England wilfully and wickedly broke the treaty. England has never yet kept a treaty with the Irish, if it stood in the way of plunder or gain.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 10

39. Bone fires on St. John's Eve at Castlegregory

    Castlegregory · town · Kerry

    The custom of lighting bone fires on St. John's Eve was declining in the Corkaguiny peninsula. In Castlegregory, boys and girls traditionally stayed awake all night dancing around the fires for amusement.

    Read the passage

    Bo}ic Fires. — The custom of lighting bone fires on St. John's Eve is very much on the decline in this peninsula. In Castle Gregory boys and girls used to remain awake all night, dancing around them for amusement. Bone fire is said to be derived from the Canduaoin "baun fire," a beacon fire. A bone fire might mean a fire of bones, a fire of corpse, a funeral pile or a fire for destroying heretics, but whatever be the origin of it, one thing is certain, that bone fires existed long before the dawn of Christianity.

    Bone Setters. — These were persons who made it a practice to set broken bones, but the dispensary doctor quickly sent them out of business.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 74

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now, Castlegregory in Kerry. The old custom here was bone fires on St. John's Eve. That practice was dying out across the Corkaguiny peninsula by the time it was recorded. In Castlegregory, boys and girls used to stay awake the whole night, dancing around the fires for amusement. The word bone fire is said to come from the Irish "baun fire," meaning a beacon fire. It might mean a fire of bones, a funeral pile, a fire for destroying heretics, but whatever the true origin, one thing is certain. Bone fires existed long before the dawn of Christianity.

40. Mistletoe kissing custom in Dingle

    Dingle · townland · Kerry

    At Christmas in Dingle, young men would stand on street corners with mistletoe and kiss every girl passing by. The custom, a relic of pagan days, was also once practiced inside churches until disruptions caused it to be abolished and replaced with holly.

    Read the passage

    Mistletoe. — Kissing under the mistletoe was a custom which is now almost dead and gone, at least in West Kerry. In our part of the county it was a very innocent amusement, and I never heard of a single instance in which it was abused. The custom was this : At Christmas a piece of mistletoe was hung up over the doorway leading into the kitchen or some other favorable place, and whenever a young girl stood under it a young man claimed — and nearly always exercised — a right to kiss the girl and pluck off a berry for each kiss. Sometimes in the town of Dingle two or three young men would stand on a street corner

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    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 85

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here in Dingle, Christmas once brought a mistletoe custom that is now almost dead and gone, at least in West Kerry. A piece of mistletoe was hung up over the doorway leading into the kitchen or some other favorable place. Whenever a young girl stood under it, a young man claimed, and nearly always exercised, a right to kiss the girl and pluck off a berry for each kiss. Sometimes in the town of Dingle two or three young men would stand on a street corner. The writer says it was a very innocent amusement, and he never heard of a single instance in which it was abused.

41. Doon-an-Orc rock in Smerwick Harbour

    Smerwick Harbour · harbour · Kerry

    Country people named a rock in Smerwick Harbour 'Doon-an-Orc' and 'Olean-an-Orc' upon seeing it covered with brass cannon, the flags of Spain and the Pope's consecrated banner. The foreigners were also reputed to have brought a large quantity of gold.

    Read the passage

    Doon-an-Orc and Olean-an-Orc. — These were the names given by the country people hereabouts to a rock in Smerwick Harbour on seeing it covered with brass cannon, the flags of Spain and the Pope's consecrated banner sparkling in the sun. Foreigners also had the reputation of bringing a large quantity of gold with them. (See ''Hist. Co. Kerry" — Corkaguiny.)

    Bnglish Garrison. — The Irish landlords are so called by public speakers because as Cromwell's soldiers they possessed themselves of all the Irish lands, and since then the British Government by military force has maintained them in this country, where they became a crushing burden on the people.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 25

42. Excommunication in Dingle, Ventry and Castle Gregory chapels

    Dingle · townland · Kerry

    During the Souper Campaign, persons were excommunicated in Dingle, Ventry and Castle Gregory chapels. After the priest read the sentence, the bell was rung, the book closed and candles extinguished, excluding the person from the sacraments.

    Read the passage

    Bxcommunication zvith Bell, Book and Candle. — During the Souper Campaign persons were excommunicated in Dingle, Ventry and Castle Gregory Chapels. After the priest had read the sentence, the bell was rung, the book closed and the candles extinguished. That moment the person excommunicated was excluded from the sacraments.

    Faction Fights. — The fairs of Ballinclare were noted for their faction fights. The way these fights usually were started was a hero follower of the Fitz-

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 26

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Dingle, during the Souper Campaign, people were excommunicated in the chapels of Dingle, Ventry and Castle Gregory. After the priest read the sentence, the bell was rung, the book closed and the candles put out. At that moment the person was excluded from the sacraments.

43. Tenant League branch established in Dingle

    Dingle · townland · Kerry · 1850–1852

    A branch of the Tenant League, organized in 1850 to defend tenant farmers, was established in Dingle. The league held a great meeting on the site of the Battle of the Boyne in 1851 and elected about fifty-eight leaguers in the 1852 general election.

    Read the passage

    Tenant League. — This league was organized in 1850. On the 4th of July, 1851, a great meeting was held on the site of the Battle of the Boyne. In 1852 a general election took place and about fifty-eight leaguers were elected. However, their leaders broke their pledges, betrayed the Irish people, destroyed the party and within a few years after killed themselves. A branch of this league was established in Dingle.

    causing death on the ocean, of innocent people. Hatred for the people of the nations at war with each other, will live in Europe for the next generation. The slaughter of human beings, now going on, is shocking. It is cleai'ly against the mandate of God, reason and common sense. Civilization is trampled on; barbarism is substituted; bands of legalized murderers sit in gilt chambers, drinking wine bought with the blood of their countrymen in the trenches. They fill their pockets with gold, make their homes comfortable, while their neighbours hearts are sad, their hearths cold, their pockets empty and their sons and relatives slaughtered in the battle fields. I honestly believe that it is much nobler to die in thousands in the cause of humanity and freedom than to draw a single sword in this disgraceful war. You leaders of destruction and legalized criminals in power, remember God's commandment — "Thou Shalt not kill."

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 55

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, a branch of the Tenant League was established. The league was organized in 1850 to defend tenant farmers, and Dingle was one of the places where it took root. On the 4th of July, 1851, the league held a great meeting on the site of the Battle of the Boyne. The following year, 1852, a general election took place and about 58 leaguers were elected. But it did not last. Their leaders broke their pledges, betrayed the Irish people, and destroyed the party. Within a few years after, those leaders killed themselves. What began as a movement for tenant farmers ended in ruin brought on by the men who led it. The branch here in Dingle was part of that short, sharp story, a few years of hope and organizing, then collapse. The figures are stark: 58 elected in 1852, and then the party gone, its promises unkept, its leaders dead by their own hands within a few years.

44. Bellman still surviving in Dingle

    Dingle · townland · Kerry

    The bellman with his hand-bell still survived in Dingle, announcing sales by public auction and helping recover lost or impounded cattle and property. The recovery of lost items was attributed to the moral influence of the clergy over the people.

    Read the passage

    Bellman. — The bellman with his hand-bell still survives in Dingle. He usually announces sales by public auction. Missing or impounded cattle, also property lost or found, money lost about thirty-three years ago and found by another, were nearly always recovered by giving a shilling or one shilling and sixpence to the bellman. I am sure this was due to the moral influence of the clergy over the people.

    for me as the prices of a grave are so much at variance, as well as the form of procedure in evicting a dead man from his grave in Mexico, that I leave that part of the matter to abler authorities.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 72

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Dingle, a bellman with his hand-bell still survived. He would walk through announcing sales by public auction. If cattle went missing or were impounded, or property was lost or found, even money lost about thirty-three years ago and found by someone else, nearly all of it was recovered. You paid the bellman a shilling, or one shilling and sixpence, and he would ring it out. The writer was sure this was due to the moral influence of the clergy over the people.

45. Barking Disease visited the Corkaguiny area around 1341

    Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry · 1341

    Around 1341, a strange affliction known as the Barking Disease prevailed, in which persons of both sexes went about the country barking like dogs. The disease was described as pretty bad and visited those parts.

    Read the passage

    Barking Disease prevailed about the year 1341. It appears persons of both sex went about the country barking like dogs. This disease was pretty bad and visited those parts.

    Battle of the Boyne. — This battle was fought on the 1st of July, 1690, at the River Boyne, in Ireland, between the soldiers of King James, the lawful King of England, and his son-in-law, William, Prince of Orange, a foreigner from Holland.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 17

46. First common carts replace wicker-basket horse transport

    Cloghane · townland · Kerry

    The author recalls the arrival of the first common carts in the villages of Ballynalockon, Cloghane, and places in Dunquin Parish. Before carts, loads were carried on horseback using wicker baskets suspended on both sides of the horse, a practice then nearly extinct.

    Read the passage

    Wicker Baskets. — Carrying loads on horseback by means of wicker baskets suspended on both sides of the horse is now almost everywhere out of practice. I remember clearly when the first common cart entered the villages of Ballynalockon, Cloghane, and places in Dunquin Parish.

    White Boys. — These were a body of young men who appeared in many places in Munster betv/een 1761 and 1763. The reason they were called White Boys was because they wore white linen frocks and shirts over their coats. They openly resisted the enclosure of commons and the compulsory payment of excessive tithes levied on Roman Catholics for the support of ministers, wardens, preachers and the upkeep of Protestant churches. Because the tax was raised chiefly on tillage lands, consequently it forced the farmers to sow very little potatoes and let their lands for grazing. The horrors of the artificial famines created by the tithes between 1739 and 1748 when mothers devoured their own children and children ate their dead parents was fresh in the memory of the people. Then the Protestant Church of Ireland was not the church of the people. In one of the White Boy uprisings, by hamstringing and like methods they killed and destroyed cattle in thousands making certain that if a potato famine existed that year there would be plenty of meat to prevent starvation. In this great cattle slaughter farmers' sons, unknown to their fathers, took the lead in maiming their own cattle. At Ballynalackon in the Parish of Cloghane, is a place

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 61

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, the author of this passage remembered when the first common cart entered the villages of Ballynalockon, Cloghane, and places in Dunquin Parish. Before that, loads were carried on horseback using wicker baskets suspended on both sides of the horse, a practice already nearly extinct when he wrote. The same passage carries another story tied to this parish. Between 1761 and 1763, a body of young men appeared across Munster, called White Boys because they wore white linen frocks and shirts over their coats. They openly resisted the enclosure of commons and the compulsory payment of excessive tithes levied on Roman Catholics for the support of ministers, wardens, preachers and the upkeep of Protestant churches. The tax was raised chiefly on tillage lands, which forced farmers to sow very little potatoes and let their lands for grazing. The memory of the artificial famines created by these tithes between 1739 and 1748 was still fresh, when mothers devoured their own children and children ate their dead parents. The Protestant Church of Ireland was not the church of the people. In one of the White Boy uprisings, by hamstringing and like methods, they killed and destroyed cattle in thousands, making certain that if a potato famine existed that year there would be plenty of meat to prevent starvation. Farmers' sons, unknown to their fathers, took the lead in maiming their own cattle. At Ballynalackon in the Parish of Cloghane, is a place.

47. Western slopes of Mount Brandon held sacred

    Brandon Mountain · mountain or mountain range · Kerry

    Inhabitants treated the western slopes of Mount Brandon as sacred out of reverence for St. Brandon and his monks, forbidding the killing of any living animal there except fish from the rivulets of Feoghanagh and Shaunakyle, which were given to the poor. Hares pursued by hounds were protected once they crossed the River Feoghanagh.

    Read the passage

    Brandon Mountain's Western Slope Held Sacred. — For a long time the inhabitants treated the western slopes of Brandon Mountain so sacred through reverence for St. Brandon and his monks as not to allow

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    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 74

48. Statute of Kilkenny

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny

    The Statute of Kilkenny was a law passed by Lionel, Duke of Clarence, son of Edward III, prohibiting English settlers from speaking Irish, wearing Irish dress, or adopting Irish names and customs.

    Read the passage

    Statute of Kilkenny. — Statute of Kilkenny was a law passed by the son of Edward III, Lional, Duke of Clearance, preventing English settlers speaking the Irish language, wearing Irish dress or adopting Irish names or customs.

    St. Patrick's Day. — Ireland's national holiday. This is the date (17th of March) set down for the death of St. Patrick.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 54

49. Cholera plague first appears in Belfast

    near Belfast · city · Antrim · 1831

    On 14 March 1831, cholera made its first appearance in Ireland at Belfast. The inhabitants fled to the countryside upon its discovery. It was nearly as fatal as the Black Death.

    Read the passage

    Cholera Plague.— On the 14th of March of 1831 this great plague made its first appearance in Belfast, Ireland. It visited our part of the country shortly after. When it was first discovered in the town, the inhabitants fled to the country. It was nearly as fatal as the Black Death. It also followed the famine years of Black Death

    Clanna-GacL — Clanna-Gael is an Irish society formed in America in 1881, or thereabouts. It was made up of most loyal members of the old Fenians, who hated to their dying day British rule in Ireland, and at the first opportunity available are determined to overthrow British power in Ireland.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 23

50. Funeral bell tolling custom in Dingle

    Dingle · townland · Kerry

    The custom of slowly and solemnly tolling bells three times for funerals was carried on in Dingle in both Catholic and Protestant churches. A hand bell was formerly rung through the streets of Dingle to summon people to mass, but this practice had ceased many years before.

    Read the passage

    Funeral Bells. — The custom of tolling bells slowly and solemnly three times for funerals is carried on in Dingle both in the Catholic and Protestant churches.'^ The ringing of a hand bell through the streets of

    *The custom of hang:ing bells to horses, cattle, sheep and goats is very common in the Republic of Old Mexico, also in the States of Nevada and California in the United States. Without those bells goats, sheep and cattle could not be located amongst the thick brush.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 79

51. Coffin nails drawn at Castlegregory side of Brandon Mountain

    Castlegregory · town · Kerry

    On the Castlegregory side of Brandon Mountain, the crossroads coffin-lowering custom was not practiced. Instead, on lowering the coffin into the grave, the nails were drawn from the cover of the coffin.

    Read the passage

    Ancient Crossroads and Burial Customs. — At funerals to the west of Dingle, a custom prevails of lowering the coffin containing the remains at certain ancient crossroads and praying for the dead. This is not practiced on the Castle Gregory side of Brandon Mountain, but there, on lowering the coffin into the grave, the nails are drawn from the cover of the coffin.

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    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 69

52. Lady Day patron festival in Dingle

    Dingle · townland · Kerry

    Lady Day, held on the 8th of September, was the patron day of Dingle. It served as the town's chief annual celebration.

    Read the passage

    Lady Day. — This was the patron day of Dingle. It was held on the 8th of September.

    Leprachazvn. — This is the name given to a shoemaker appearing in several fairy tales. He is supposed to be a very rich little gentleman and a native of Teer-Na-Oge, who appears very often amongst briers, bushes and boulders. He is not more than six inches in height, is often dressed in a nice green coat ornamented with gold and silver lace, wears knee breeches and a red cap. They tell me he works very hard at mending shoes. His shelves are covered with stacks of gold coin, and in addition he has many crocks of this precious metal. While he is working it is very easy to steal upon him and catch him. I am told that whenever you lay your hands upon him you should sieze him quickly and, although his shrill screams will be heart-rending, do not loosen your hold, and at the same time you must not take your eyes off the gold, for if you do he will surely change it into brown leaves and pay you off with a halfsovereign. I fear that most of those who saw the Leprachawn were paid off with brown leaves. If a remarkably poor person became suddenly rich, and was anxious to keep his neighbors in the dark as to the source of his changed position, he was sure to tell them that he captured a Leprachawn.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 84

53. Boycotting and its effects in the Corkaguiny district

    Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry

    The practice of boycotting, derived from Captain Boycott, had particular use and effect in the Corkaguiny district of Kerry. The author refers to his fuller account in 'History Co. Kerry' regarding its local impact.

    Read the passage

    Boycotting. — This word was derived from Captain Boycott, a land agent who was boycotted. Today it is to be found in every dictionary in the English language. Its use and effect in our district is fully set forth by me in my "His. Co. Kerry" — Corkaguiny, and also under The Reading of Chronology.

    Brehons. — Were the names given to ancient Irish judges, who administered the Irish ancient laws with strict justice and impartiality. In 1365 or thereabouts, the English by the Statute of Kilkenny, forbade the English subjects to obey it. However, for its justice it was respected and obeyed until after Cromwell's wars in Ireland.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 20

54. Evictions at Ballyferriter abandoned through Father Egan's mediation

    Ballyferriter · townland · Kerry

    Attempts to carry out evictions at Ballyferriter failed after a settlement was brokered by the Rev. Father Egan, P.P. of Ballyferriter, resulting in the evictions being abandoned.

    Read the passage

    tempts to carry out these evictions failed. A settlement was arrived at through the Rev. Father Egan, P. P., of Bally-Ferriter, whereby the evictions were abandoned.

    (See P. 281, History Co. Kerry-Corkaguiny.)

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 17

55. Old church at Cloghane burial ground

    Cloghane · townland · Kerry

    Tradition credits a pagan chieftain with building the old church whose remains stand at the east end of the dismantled Protestant church in Cloghane burial ground. The first Christian building in Cloghane was probably erected by a follower of Crom Duff worship.

    Read the passage

    Cromleacs, composed of huge stones, the selection of ancient Druids, are to be found in the Parish of Ballyduff, and other like evidence in the neighborhood which go to show that the district was the scene of ancient ceremonies. Tradition gives credit to a pagan chieftain for building the old church, the remains of which stand at the east end of the dismantled Protestant church in Cloghane burial ground. However, the present structure was not erected for many centuries after paganism was overthrown. It is probable that

    24

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 23

56. Steel-pen frize coats and breeches of Corkaguiny

    Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry · 1800–1916

    Steel-pen frize woollen coats and knee-breeches ornamented with brass buttons were commonly worn in Corkaguiny up toward the last quarter of the nineteenth century. The author notes they were nearly extinct in the area by the time of writing.

    Read the passage

    Steel-Pen Coats. — These steel-pen frize woolen coats and knee-breeches ornamented with brass buttons and commonly worn up toward the last quarter of the last century are now nearly extinct in those parts.

    St. Martin's Bve. — It appears that St. Martin was buried on the 11th of November. In some country homes amongst farmers I noticed that on St. Martin's Eve some animal was killed, such as a goose, a duck, a hen or a cock, and that the outside threshold of the door was sprinkled with the blood of the animal killed for St Martin. Some went as far as to sprinkle the four corners of their dwelling houses with blood. I believe this had a Christian charitable origin and in the course of age lost its true meaning and character. Whether Christian or pagan, it is a very curious custom, and I see no good in it for the present age.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 93

57. Cat Brack primers distributed to Irish-speaking Catholics in Corkaguiny

    Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry

    Printed matter found in Irish primers supplied by the Irish Protestant Society to Irish-speaking Roman Catholics in the Corkaguiny area was called 'Cat Brack.' The society distributed these primers under the color of education to local Catholic populations.

    Read the passage

    Cat Brack. — This was the name given to printed matter found in Irish primers supplied by the Irish Protestant Society to Irish-speaking Roman Catholics in those parts, because the former, under the color and

    22

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 21

58. Cromleacs in the parish of Ballyduff

    Ballyduff · town · Kerry

    Cromleacs composed of huge stones, selected by ancient Druids, are found in the parish of Ballyduff. Other evidence in the neighbourhood shows the district was the scene of ancient ceremonies.

    Read the passage

    Cromleacs, composed of huge stones, the selection of ancient Druids, are to be found in the Parish of Ballyduff, and other like evidence in the neighborhood which go to show that the district was the scene of ancient ceremonies. Tradition gives credit to a pagan chieftain for building the old church, the remains of which stand at the east end of the dismantled Protestant church in Cloghane burial ground. However, the present structure was not erected for many centuries after paganism was overthrown. It is probable that

    24

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 23

59. Fishermen's holy water bottles in canoes west of Dingle

    Dingle · townland · Kerry

    Fishermen to the west of Dingle carried small bottles of holy water, tightly corked and fastened by string to their canoes, when going to sea. This was a longstanding local custom among the fishing community.

    Read the passage

    Holy Water Bottles in Canoes. — There is a custom among fishermen to the west of Dingle of carrying very small bottles containing holy water tightly corked and fastened by a strong string to their canoes when going to sea.

    Holy Wells (See "His. Co. Kerry"— Corkaguiny). Pilgrims to holy wells leave rags, copper coins and other quite valueless tokens behind them in paying rounds, at Brandon Mountain shrine and other like places.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Dingle, fishermen heading out to sea used to carry small bottles of holy water. The bottles were tightly corked and fastened with strong string to their canoes. This was a longstanding custom among the fishing community to the west of Dingle. Nearby, pilgrims visiting holy wells at Brandon Mountain and similar shrines would leave behind rags, copper coins and other small tokens when paying their rounds.

60. Orangemen in Belfast wreck churches and assault people on July anniversaries

    near Belfast · city · Antrim

    The anniversaries of the Battles of the Boyne and Aughrim were celebrated on the 1st and 12th of July in Belfast by Orangemen, who marked the occasions by wrecking Catholic churches and assaulting women and old people.

    Read the passage

    ♦The auniversaries of the Battles of the Boyue and Aughrim are celebrated on the 1st and 12th of July in Belfast, by Orangemen wrecking Catholic churches and assaulting women and old people.

    Internet Archive irishhistoricala00fole, Chapter 17