School: Birr (Mercy Convent)
- Location:
- Birr or Parsonstown, Co. Offaly
- Teacher: Sr. Flannan
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0821, Page 224
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- XML “The Penal Days”
- XML “The Penal Days”
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You are not logged in, but you are welcome to contribute a transcription anonymously. In this case, your IP address will be stored in the interest of quality control.By clicking the save button you agree that your contribution will be available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License and that a link to dúchas.ie is sufficient as attribution. - In the townland of Walspark which is on the Portumna Road, about 5 miles from Birr, a priest hunter lay dying. He sent into Birr for a priest - a death-bed repentance. At Gallow's Hill the messenger was pursued by two black hounds with flaming eyes. The horses raced madly for the town never slaking even up Gallow's Hill. Here they disappeared only to re-appear when the priest was returning with the messenger. The priest's name was Fr. Hurley. (He was known by teller's grandfather). A made race ensued the hell hounds trying to obstruct the horses. The priest arrived at the house, but going upstairs he saw it was too late, but he continued into the sick room. The face of the corpse was black and fearful and something black hovered near it's head. The poor lost spirit had passed the priest on the(continues on next page)
