School: Ráithín (B.) (roll number 9304)
- Location:
- Raheen, Co. Kerry
- Teacher: Diarmuid Ua Cróinín
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0456, Page 430
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- XML School: Ráithín (B.)
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- XML “O'Keeffes of Cullen”
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- Many years ago a family of O'Keefes - seven brothers and one sister lived at Cullen. They falsely accused the parish priest of a crime. The bishop hearing it sent for the priest and having satisfied himself that he was innocent he told him return home to his parish and give his enemies a fortnight to withdraw the charge or be excommunicated. They refused and the priest expressed the following order from the Altar.On the night following the "curse" seven hounds owned by the O'Keefes disappeared and were never seen or heard of the first death in the family when they came howling through the air and down the chimney and never stopped crying until the corpse was removed for burial. Later Betty OKeefe wife of another member of the family and a protestant died and waked on the "Kitchen Table" as was then the custom. A black dog came in and bay under the table until the corpse was coffined. The curse was to take effect for seven generations and up to this day the hounds are heard howling through the air on the death of an O'Keefe of Cullen. Years after a decendant of the O'Keefe's was insulted by on "Dennehy" from a neighbouring townland Doire(continues on next page)
