School: Cooley
- Location:
- Cooly, Co. Donegal
- Teacher: Eoghan Ó Beoláin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1116, Page 340
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“A man named Johnny Muthern lived in the old ruins below Mary Braiden's.”
A man named Johnny Mulhern lived in the old ruins below Mary Braiden's. One day he was quarrying in Cawan Rock. There is a large holly bush growing there and this man began to quarry at it. He was not long quarrying when a lump of iron flew past him. He thought it was somebody trying to frighten him and he took no heed. He continued his work and the next thing that happened was a large piece of iron rock fell and which he was very lucky being hit by it. Old Robert Kirland who was eye witness told him it was the fairies. He would not believe him and carried on working. Then his crowbar which he was working with split in two. The old man who was watching him said "Maybe you will believe me now". He got much afraid and went home. From that day to this no one has ventured to quarry in it. The holly bush is there still and the people use to watch the fairies dancing and singing round it.
- Collector
- Maria Mc Elhinney
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- Cooly, Co. Donegal
- Informant
- Mrs Bridget Mc Elhinney
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- Cooly, Co. Donegal