The Schools’ Collection

This is a collection of folklore compiled by schoolchildren in Ireland in the 1930s. More information

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  1. The Local Roads

    CBÉS 0440

    Page 602

    Tonevane Road.
    There are four by-roads namely:-
    Annagh.
    Curragrague.
    Ballyard.
    Ballydunlea.
    The main roads lead from Tralee to Dingle.
    The men long ago used work for a few shillings a week. The men who were building the canal worked for two and sixpence per week, and a man named, Bill Culloty worked there for that pay.
    There is a short cut from Tralee to Castlemaine called the short mountain crossing by Foley's wood where Queen Scotia is buried. There is a short cut also leading off the public road from Tralee to Dingle called the Mamshurla road leading into Heel.
  2. Place Names

    CBÉS 1027

    Page 102

    never been a fish killed in the pool since.
    Monk’s Ford. This is where the Monks used to cross the river. It is situated below the Eel Weirs at the Mickey’s Gap. It is below the Monk’s Ford. It was so called because an old man named Mickey made a pass down to the river.
    The “Tail of the Island” is below the townland of the Mullins.
    Clark’s Cot is on the other side of the point of the Mullins.
    Sod ditch is below “Cossnawanny”. It is a ditch made of sods.
    Mash Road is below “The Mullin House. It is said to have taken its name from a red clay hill above the pool.
    Nova Scotia. It was so called because it is always rough. It is below Mush Road.
    The Sally bush is a bush where sallies grow. It is below Mickey’s Gap. It was so called because sallies grow there.
  3. Folklore - A Song - The Hills above the Town

    CBÉS 0205

    Page 142

    Let poets sing of beauty spots in foreign climes so grand,
    Of towering rocky mountains or the scenes in Switzerland,
    Of babbling brooks and shady nooks which are the Saxon pride,
    And Scotia's praise of lofty peaks and chain of lakes beside.
    But for a healthy holiday theirs none but will agree
    The hills south of Drumkeeran for beauty hold the Key,
    Wild nature here sure has the sway with streamlets rushing down,
    While white washed homes enhance the view of the hills above the town.
    If you want a warm welcome
    Then knock at any door,
    From Litter to the Colliery,
    There's failte there go leor,
    They'll seat you near the fire
  4. An Exile's Longing

    CBÉS 0413

    Page 004

    he knew
    All, all he observes would excite his emotion,
    The friends of his childhood may be but a few
    I would go to Killarney so far famed in story
    The wonders of nature to feast to mine eyes
    I would hasten to Muckross whose monastic glory
    Weigh back in the ages no sceptic denied.
    III
    The grave of Queen Scotia far up in the mountains
    Well named "Gleann Scoithín I would ramble to see
    I would then wander back and I'd sip at the fountain
    And stand on the "Beautiful Vale of Tralee"
    The scholar and pilgrim have oftentimes prayed there
    'Tis where gold St. Brendan now peacefully lie
  5. History of Kerry

    CBÉS 0438

    Page 309

    Legendary History of Kerry -
    (1) Milesians - Luceni gave name to Lixnaw
    (2) Queen Scotia - Foleys glen near Tralee
    (3) Finn Mac Cumhail and Colman of Killarney
    (4) Curse of Oaire - Blanovo
    (5) Battle of Ventry - Conn of the Hundred Fights
    Sixth Century
    St. Brendan
    St. Finian
    Norman Period: Wars of Sullivans,
    O'Donoghues, O'Connors - MacCarthys
    In 1172
    North Kerry - O'Connors
    Centre: MacCarthy More, O'Sullivan More, O Donaghue
    South: O'Sullivan Beare
    Others: Falveys, McGillicuddys, O'Connells, And O'Mahony, McCarthy More: Sovereign: Raymond Le Grosgot Clanmaurice from McCarthy More, for aiding him against his rebellious son.
    ----- Fitzgeralds -----
    House of Kildare
    House Landsdowne
    House of Desmond
    Knight of Kerry. Glen
  6. Weather-Lore

    CBÉS 0444

    Page 376

    Weather Lore - The Coming of Rain
    C. Natural Features as weather indicators.
    1. When there is a sheen on the stone over which Queen-Scotia was buried.
    2. When the distant hills seem near to us.
    3. When the rocks shine and sparkle.
    4. When waterfalls roar it is a sign of rain.
    5. When the sea and lakes look rough.
    6. When the rocks appear very green.
    D. Fire and Chimney
    1. When the smoke curls after leaving the chimney.
    2. When the fire seems to light with a green colour it is a sign of rain.
    3. When the wind comes from Currens.
    4. A "puff down" denotes a change in the weather.
    5. When the wind comes from "Cathair Conroí".
    6. When the soot gets wet and begins to fall.
    E - The Coming of Frost
    1. When the stars twinkle in a clear sky.
    2. When the sky turns pink in the evening.
    3. When the sky is red in the east in the evening.
    4. When the Crane is heard in winter.
    5. When the wind comes from the North.
  7. The Dear Irish Maid

    CBÉS 0309

    Page 045

    I thought to escape her but onwards I strayed.
    For Cupid & Venus had so wantonly teased me ["tused" in margin]
    To an arbour conveyed me where sat this Dear Irish Maid
    IV
    The Sol began beaming as we retrograded
    To adjust my Mazes to a place more remote.
    For to shun speculators and perambulators.
    Who often came pleading to those eglantine groves.
    Those copious plantations & beauties so serious
    Have so re-engaged me each hour of this day.
    That I roved out more careless led on by Dame Nature
    So excuse the frailties of the plain Irish Maid
    V
    Are you Silvie, Paromas. Siege Palas or Flora.
    Hibernia or Scotia or what is your name.
    Or are you famed Juno or bright shining Luno
    Or are you a human of Adam's Great Race.
    If you are my dear creature of commissuration
    Keep balm to my ailment & free me from pain
    For you have captivated all my fondest sensations
    And made me a slave to you my charming fair maid
    VI.
    I guessed her not Venus [?] or Helen
    Pandora, [?] or fair [?].
    Her dress appeared rural as she sat there amusing
    By a meandering Brook that most rapidly glides