School: Béal Átha (Bella) (roll number 10334)
- Location:
- Bella, Co. Roscommon
- Teacher: Bean Uí Ghionnáin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0238, Page 042
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- XML “The Lady of the Lake”
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- The following is a story told relative to Lough Gair. Very many years ago, probably 70 or 80 two men named John Shanley and Birdie Ward were now engaged in the illicit practice of making poteen. They chose Bawn Island as the seat of it's manufacture at this particular time. Old John Shanley lived in the house at present occupied by Michael Rogers. Shanley left the Island - night was on and went home to bring some foodstuffs to take them out the night as they'd have to spend the night on the Island at the distillation.
Birdie sat on smoking. The poteen Doubling was on the fire and was 'coming round' as they used to say locally. While Birdie sat there in the rough still- house smoking a Lady dressed in white came in and stood with her back to the fire. She stood there for a time. Neither spoke. Perhaps Birdie was too frightened to speak. He didn't offer her any of the 'Doubling' which was a customary thing to do. She glared indignantly at him for a few seconds and then said "Suff Sufficate Birdie Huchtha" and then left and disappeared into the lake. Birdie fainted and when John arrived with the provisions he started to upraid Birdie thinking that he had helped himself(continues on next page)
