School: Convent of Mercy, Athlone

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1. Ornamented Stones (continued)

   

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   of the laundry, the following words are carved in stone
   "Oh, may not Satan's agents enter
   Will o' Wisp and Jack the printer."
   These words recall a very bitter quarrel between John Booth and his former friends Will Sproule and Jack Potts. The matter was brought to court but was not settled. Booth, a Non-conformist, erected a Meeting house here and, to keep out his one-time friends, he put the above inscription on the gate. Jack Cunniffe, a tradesman replied in the words :-
   "The Apostles Port would have done as well
   Were you but content
   To have called it so and few would know
   Which of the twelve you meant.
   St. Peter's Port this cannot be
   While faith to Scripture's given

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Mr Kilkelly

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Bastion Street, Co. Westmeath