School: Leachtbhruadair (Loughfooder) (roll number 14366)
- Location:
- Lackbrooder, Co. Kerry
- Teacher: Mícheál P. Ó Murchadha
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- XML School: Leachtbhruadair (Loughfooder)
- XML Page 182
- XML “Robbing of Birds' Nests”
- XML “Eggs Under Hay”
- XML “How the Robin Got the Red Breast”
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- Children were warned by their parents that warts or scabs would come on their hands if they robbed birds' nests.
- If a person, whom bad luck followed, put eggs, laid by domestic fowl, under another person's hay it was believed the latter would thenceforth suffer from the misfortune which the former passed on to him.
Usually the eggs are placed under the tops of hay-cocks, in the meadows.
The practice was fairly common long ago but now it is practised and believed in by only very few.
The fact the some person intended to get rid of his ill-luck by passing it on to themselves - if he could- caused people great anxiety. - Old people used say that the robin was at the foot of the Cross when Our Lord was being crucified and that a drop of blood from His wounds fell on its breast.
The robin's breast is said to have been coloured red for the first time on that day. It is regarded as a blessed bird and people are careful not to injure it in any way.
Old people used say that the robins were Our Lady's hens.- Collector
- Mícheál P. Ó Murchadha
- Gender
- Male
- Occupation
- Teacher
- Address
- Knocknagashel, Co. Kerry
- Informant
- John Griffin
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 52
- Address
- Knocknagashel, Co. Kerry