School: Broadford, Ráthluirc
- Location:
- Broadford, Co. Limerick
- Teacher: Ss. Ó Guagáin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0491, Page 117
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- (continued from previous page)the robin has a red breast, and it is counted a sin to kill it.There is another bird called the wren, "The King of all Birds", which boys considered no harm to kill. The reason of their cruelty to the wren is that he betrayed one of the Apostles to the soldiers sent out to find him. The Apostle's name was St. Stephen, and he was supposed to have got away from his enemies and hidden in a holly tree.
The soldiers would have passed by the place were iti not for a wren which started "chattering" when he heard the noise. The wren directed their attention to the tree. The soldiers searched and found St. Stephen. They led him to the market place where they stoned him to death. This is the reason why the wren is hunted and killed every St. Stephen's Day - the 26th December.
The cuckoo is often seen with a little bird, commonly called the ``Reaneen" accompanying him in his flight. The reason for this is that the cuckoo was reared up in this little bird's nest and they became friends.William Broderick. Tullaha.
- Collector
- William Broderick
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Tullaha, Co. Limerick
