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The Schools’ Collection

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

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  1. Trades and Tradesmen

    CBÉS 0513

    Page 048

    There was a woollen mill in the Old Street (Galbally). It was working up to about twenty five years ago. It belonged to Mr Wilkinson.
    The mill first started about one hundred years ago. When Mr Wilkinson died he willed it to Mr Bishop's grandfather. Mr Bishop sold the mill to Mr Phelan of Galbally some years ago.
    Mr James McCarthy of the Old Street was manager of the mill for a number of years. Miss Deborah English also worked in the mill. A lot of people were employed in the industry.
    Homespuns, tweeds, shirting, rugs and stockings were made in the mill.
    Mr Phelan used the mill for grinding corn and also as a saw-mill. It ceased work about ten years ago.

  2. Local Heroes

    CBÉS 0513

    Page 050

    high jumper of Ireland about 40 years ago. He won the championship in Dublin. He beat Mr Jack Blackburn of the Old Street. He jumped six feet and a half.
    Mr James Fahey of Corderry won the championship of Ireland at the three jumps. He jumped thirty six feet long.
    Mr Jack Walsh of Galbally was a noted step-dancer. He won several prizes. Mr William Ryan of Galbally was a noted singer. His favourite songs were "Phil the Fluters Ball, The Little Beggarman and The Old Borheen.
    Mr Sampson of Spittal (Ballylanders) was the best mower in this district. He used to mow eight acres in the day.

  3. Holy Wells

    CBÉS 0513

    Page 089

    the Mooreabbey. It is about a mile from Galbally. The water is supposed to be a cure for sore eyes. It is called St. Francis' Well. Some years ago some woman washed clothes in the well and it moved to the other side of the road.

  4. The Famine

    CBÉS 0513

    Page 136

    and her sister was struck blind in one eye.
    About a million and a half people had to emigrate from Ireland to America during the famine
    When the people (who died from the famine fever) were being buried large holes were made in the ground and about six bodies were put into each hole.
    Mr Ml. Kiely's field (Galbally) was a cemetry the time of the famine. There was an hospital in Galbally at the time of the famine. It was situated where Mr Osborne's house now is.
    The people used to eat grass and weeds the time of the

  5. (no title)

    “Some years ago a man was returning home from Anglesboro to his home in Glenacurrane, (Mitchelstown road), Co. Limk, Coshlea and when he was crossing the stream he fell into it and was drowned.”

    CBÉS 0513

    Page 169

    going to talk to him but he thought better of it and let him go by. A man riding a white horse was often seen passing by on the mountain foot [?] road too (i.e. the road from Anglesboro' to Galbally) and many people saw this man and his white horse out on Paradise Hill (i.e. a small hill overlooking Massy Lodge and beside Teampallín).

  6. (no title)

    “In August 1911 three men were killed in Ballylanders, Co. Limerick by lightning as they were drawing in hay.”

    CBÉS 0513

    Page 183

    In August 1911 three men were killed in Ballylanders, Co. Limerick by lightning as they were drawing in hay. One evening a man returning from Galbally met one of those men on the road and he told him he was a dead man.

  7. An Cóiste Bodhar

    CBÉS 0514

    Page 002

    in for Galbally. Suddenly she heard as she thought the sound of horses and cars coming along the road. She went inside the ditch to allow the funeral as she thought pass. The sound came nearer and nearer but if she remained there until this day the funeral would not pass and now there's my story for you and believe it or not if you like.

  8. (no title)

    “About thirty years ago a tree had been knocked down over in Dungrud by a storm.”

    CBÉS 0514

    Page 022

    This tree was growing on the side of the lios of Dungrud in Richardsons farm, Galbally Tipperary.
    (e) About thirty years ago a tree had been knocked down over in Dungrud by a storm.
    Dungrud is about three miles from Galbally,Co. Limerick and at the southern end of the famous Glen of Aherlow. The people of the house decided to plough this field in which the tree lay. Seeing that the tree would be in their way they went out to have a look at it and decided to cut it up after dinner.
    When they had finished their dinner they procured a cross-cut and an axe but on entering the field they found to their great surprise that the tree was standing up again in the same position in which it had been before the storm.

  9. (no title)

    “Diarmuid Ó Duibhne and Grainne were travellingthrough Munster.”

    CBÉS 0514

    Page 041

    Diarmuid Ó Duibhne and Grainne were travelling through Munster. They came as far as Duntryleague, Galbally, Co. Limerick and they slept there for the night. There is a stone there still called Leaba Dhiarmuda. Next morning they faced Carraig Sheáin Bhuidhe Hill near Athnadlinga, Anglesboro, Co. Limerick, a spur of the Galtee Mountains. They were going out through a gap which was very puddly and Grainne got all spattered with the puddle

  10. Local Roads

    CBÉS 0581

    Page 078

    old castle one of the strongholds of the O'Briens of Thomond. Running through this "Glen" there is another pretty modern road connecting Bansha with Galbally.

  11. Old Roads

    CBÉS 0902

    Page 101

    Old Booly Lane which was also a very important road one time is just now a back way for farmers going to their land. Hence it is called "The Back Lane."
    There is another lane going through from Ballymorris to Kereight. This lane appears on the Ballymorris road at Mrs. Kelly's and comes out opposite Larry Walshe's, Kereight, Ballyhogue, Co. Wexford and goes on through Kereight. This lane is called "Lett's Lane" and it was once the main road to Wexford.
    There is a lane in Galbally called "The Galbally Lane", not far from the school. There are five houses on this lane. Sheil's, Brennan's, Sullivan's, Shannan's and Delaney's. This is a wide lane and motor cars or horse-cars can get through it.
    There is another lane - a very long lane - in Barmoney called "The Barmoney Lane". There are five houses on this lane : Jackman's, Kiely's, Barne's, Cashe's and Egan's. This lane is narrow, though cars and other vehicles can go through it.
    There is a mass path from the Hayestown Lane going through Mr. Codd's yard, on through the Barmoney Lane, and coming out at Mr. Swan's, Barmoney, Bree, Co. Wexford.

  12. The Galbally Farmer

    CBÉS 0512

    Page 067

    This was a favourite song in this locality years ago. It was composed by Darby Ryan of Bansha who heard from the spailpín the treatment Darby O Leary gave him at the Potato digging.
    Darby O Leary was a terrible miser. He lived in Ballyfaskin in this parish. His two grandsons Tom and Pat live in the holding still. They are eking out a miserable existence, the place being mortgaged and worked by Walsh & Sons, merchants, Ballylanders.
    I
    One evening of late as I happened to stray
    To the Galbally mountains I soon found my way
    To dig the potatoes or work by the day
    I hired with a Galbally farmer.
    II
    I asked him how far we were bound to go.
    The night was dark and the north winds did blow
    I was hungry and tired and my spirits were low
    I could neither drink whiskey nor cordial.
    III
    He made me no answer but mounted his steed
    To the Galbally Mountains he rode with great speed
    I certainly thought that my heart it would bleed

  13. The Local Fairs

    CBÉS 0512

    Page 527

    Local cattle and horse fairs are usually held at present in the towns and villages. Sometimes calf buyers transact business at farmers' houses. They bring motor lorries and collect the calves from the different houses.
    Many fairs were held in the County Tipperary and in the County Limerick that have been discontinued.
    The fair of Knockorden (7th Nov) six miles north east from Galbally was one of them
    Toll was paid at the rate of 4 [?] per head.
    On the 11th August one of the most famous fairs in the south was held in Knockanay - best beef fair in Munster.
    The fair of Killeely (1st Feb.) nine miles north from Galbally was another famous fair. Many a boy's and girl's fate was decided there, because "matchmakers" met there by appointment - this [?] being Shrove. On the hill at back of the village, there is an old "slipping flag', and the local tradition is, that if a buachaill and a cailín slipped down the flag together on the fair day, they would be married before end of the year.
    Another famous fair was held in [?]

  14. Local Ruins

    CBÉS 0513

    Page 023

    Local Ruins
    The Moore Abbey stands in the parish of Galbally. It is about half a mile to the east of Galbally Village.
    It was built by Donal Cairbre O'Brien, Prince of Thomond in 1212 for the Franciscan Fathers.
    For three and a half centuries it carried on its holy work until the land of the tyrant destroyed it in 1567. The Glen of Aherlow is nearby. It was in this valley Geoffrey Keating wrote the history of Ireland. He is said to have spent some years in the Moore Abbey.
    The side walls of the Abbey are about twenty - three feet thick. The length inside is about one hundred feet and the breadth inside is about twenty three feet. The original height was about seventy feet.
    The side wall

  15. The Mill (Galbally)

    CBÉS 0513

    Page 105

    105
    The Will (Galbally)
    The old mill which stands beside the River Aherlow about a quarter of a mile to the east of Galbally Village was once a woollen mill. It was worked by the waters of the River Aherlow.
    The mill was established about the year 1790 by a family named Bishop. Fifteen to twenty men were constantly employed there. Flannel, blankets, tweed and all kinds of woollen goods wer manufactured there.
    The farmers from all the surrounding district sold their wool at the mill. Sometimes they exchanged the wool for flannel, blankets, etc.
    The manufacture of woollen goods ceased about forty years ago

  16. Place Names

    CBÉS 0513

    Page 121

    121
    Mr. Ryan of Galbally has a field called the Long Field because it is very long.
    Mr. W. Quirke (More Abbey) has a field called the New Field. It was a hill a long time ago and he made a level field of it.
    Mr Hedigan of Galbally has a field called Inchacoman because little men are seen hurling there at night.
    Mr Clancy of Park has a field called the Road Field because it is near the road. He has another field called the Well Field because there is a well in it.
    Mr. Ryan of Killinane has a field called the River Field because the River Aherlow runs through it.

  17. Place Names

    CBÉS 0513

    Page 123

    123
    There is a field in our land and it is called the Bog Field because there is a bog in it.
    There is a field in Mr. McGrath's land (Keylogues) and it is called the Well Field because there is a well in it.
    There is a field in Mr. John Wallace's land (Galbally) and it is called the Inch because it is near the river.
    There is a field in Mr J. Ryan's land and it is called the House Field because the house is situated at the top of it.
    There is a cross near our house and it is called Burke's Cross because a man named Burke lived there. There is a cross about two miles from Galbally called Corbett's Cross because a

  18. Local Marriage Customs

    CBÉS 0902

    Page 040

    Local Marriage Customs. 17.15.1937.
    In the district the two to be married go to the chapel together. When they are married they leave the chapel and go either to his house or to some town for their breakfast.
    After their breakfast the bride and bridegroom go for a long drive in a motor car. It is usual that on that night the people belonging to the bride give a dance or a party for them. Then the couple go for their honeymoon for a week or so.
    Written by: Peggie Brennan, Galbally,
    Ballyhogue. Co. Wexford.
    Told by: John Brennan, Galbally, Ballyhogue, Co Wexford.
    Age.46yrs.

  19. Forges

    CBÉS 0902

    Page 144

    There are two forges around here that I know about. There is Larry Nolan's in Galbally and Mr Long's in Ballyhogue. These people's ancestors were not smiths.
    The forge of Larry Nolan is situated about a quarter of a mile from Galbally Cross. It is up a short lane. The forge is the shape of a rectangle. The roof is made of tin. The door is square. The fire is blown by a bellows.
    The 'smiths in it shoe horses and donkeys. They also mend and make spades and farm implements. These men work very seldom in the open air and they happen to work in the open air they work just outside the forge.
    Long's
    Mr Long's is situated at Ballyhogue Cross. I do not know much about this forge.

  20. The Galbally Farmer

    CBÉS 0512

    Page 069

    VIII
    'Twas on the old miser I looked with a frown
    When the straw he brought out to make my shake-down
    I wish that I never saw Galbally Town
    Nor the sky over Darby O Leary.
    IX
    'Twas early next morning he opened my cell,
    And I hit straight away for the town of Clonmel
    His blankets and sheets I pitched them to hell
    And likewise the old Galbally Farmer.
    X
    I worked in Kilcommon,I worked in Lismore,
    I worked in Knockainey and Shanballamore
    Nicker [?] and Pallas and Sologhead Mór
    With dacent respectable farmers.
    XI
    I worked in Tippeary at the Rag and Rosegreen,
    At the moat of Kilfeacle and bridge of Aileen
    Such woeful starvation I've never yet seen
    As I got from you Darby O Leary.
    XII
    If ever you chance for to travel to Cork
    With a spade or a shovel or likewise pitchfork,
    That the whirlwind may drive you across to New York
    If you work for a Galbally Farmer.