School: Lisball

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1. The Fighting Fair of Shercock

   

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   My informant says he heard of the Fighting Fair of Shercock from an old woman called Belsh, who lived at the time of the Fighting Fair of Shercock. The informant also heard of it from many other sources.

   On the day of the fight the Catholics, who came from all "Airls and Parts" had "Standings" on the street with black thorn sticks hidden under them., ready to use when the time came to fight.

   The fight began by using sticks and fists. The first man down was a Belsh of Killcrossbeg. Word was brought home to his mother that her son had been killed and when she heard the news she said - "Thank God he did not die a coward anyhow".

   The Fromen rushed into the town from around the district to quell the fight with their guns. The Protestants had no authority to fire on the Catholics and asked for an order from Rev Caffrey, The Rector of Shercock. He refused hence the lines; To Caffrey we applied for aid. But us he did deny and said, "The longest stand and the toughest hide" Will bear away from Shercock.

   The Fromen then fired without orders and 14 bodies were on the square next morning.

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Samuel Doherty

   Gender

   Male

   Occupation

   Teacher

   Address

   Lisball, Co. Cavan

   Collector

   T.J. Banon

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Knockbride, Co. Cavan

   Informant

   Thomas R. Lindsey

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   73

   Address

   Kilcrossbeg, Co. Cavan