School: An Ráth Mhór (Clochar) (roll number 13742)

On this page

1. Description of Cathair Crobh Dearg (continued)

   

   Share Share Post

   (continued from previous page)

   Though called after Cuimín we believe that it was in reality even after his time the district was properly converted. The huge extent of the ancient parish of Cill Cuimín is on reason for saying this. The old Irish parishes were as a rule very small, a modern parish sometimes containing as many as 5 or 6 of them. But the old parish of Cill Cuimín contained not merely all the present parish of that name but also three fourths of the modern parish of Rath Mhór. The reason of this we submit is not that the place was uninhabited (which is patently false as we will see elsewhere) but that the greater part of the district was still pagan. At a later date a legend was invented to cover up this unpleasant memory. It was in the parish of Firies and not here I heard it. The ancient parish of Kilcredane or Kilhinedon (part of Ballyhar the outparish of Firies) borders on Cill Cuimín and is exceedingly small. The legend is, that Cuimín and Credane were offered all the land they could walk round in a day. When the day came Cuimin was up before down but Credane slept almost till evening with corresponding results in their parishes.
   (3) The "patron" at Ballyvourney seems to have been got up by the Christians as a counter attraction to the City Festival. Our reason for that statement is that the Ballyvourney feast was not primarily a saint's feast at all arising naturally at the shrine of some holy person after death. The Ballyvourney festival is held every years on Pentecost Sunday proving that the Church put her right foot forward in setting up her greatest feast in opposition to the great Pagan festival at the City. Ballyvourney lies at the other side of the mountian being only about ___ miles from the City. The rivalry between these two shrines was truly epic. When we consider the great part played by Ireland in upholding Christianity in the past, the part she plays in this noble work today and the still greater part she seems

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Location

   Gortnagane, Co. Kerry

   Informant

   Eugene O' Curry

   Gender

   Male