Phil Madden resided at Pallasbeg, Cappamore. He died at an advanced age about sixty years ago. Several stories are told in this locality about the marvelous strength of this man. He stood over six feet and was powerfully built. One story relates that Madden was one day working in Dromalty bog (which by the way is now extinct) when a neighbour's horse and car, loaded with turf sank in a bog hole. Phil Madden came to the help of his neighbour and between them they managed to un-harness the horse, and free him from the sunken load. Then Phil got between the shafts of the car and

locality.
On June the 12th 1904, a cloud burst occurred, and caused an awful flood which covered hundreds of acres of land both grassland and meadowing and carried away the Bridge of Glosha in Bilboa a few miles north of Cappamore.

never in East Limerick before in his life and needless to remark, he was greatly surprised to discover that the countryside seemed familiar to him. Every field and bush seemed as if he had seen them all before. The poor man was really puzzled as to how the place looked so familiar, knowing as he did, that he never saw Cappamore before. He searched his brains over and over again for an explanation, and at last he discovered that it was in a dream he saw the place. Years before, he dreamed of the place as where an amount of gold was buried. Gold enough he said to buy half County Limerick. The story he told was that years before, he dreamed of the place field by field and bush by bush. He said it was revealed to him as clear as possible. There was no name given for the place or no idea where it might be. But he was told when he'd see the place he'd rec

Con Ryan of Bilboa lost his life during the time of the Black-and-Tans for the freedom of his country. He was killed accidentally, when knocking a tree to block the Tans. He was buried in Ballinuire near Cappamore. He was exhumed by the Tans, who brought him to Pallas Barrack, Co. Limerick to find out who he was. His sister was brought to identify him. He was again taken to Ballinuire, but his real burial place was Doon. When the Tans left the country, he was buried in Doon, with his family. His coffin was draped with green white and gold. On the day of his funeral, thousands of people including the I.R.A. as guards of honour, were present at the funeral. When the last sod was put on his

The graveyard in Abington, in the neighbouring parish of Murroe, must be one of the oldest in the country. It is about three miles from Cappamore village, but it is only a mile and a half from the bounds of this parish. The graveyard stands on the site of what was once a Monastery, most likely a Cistercian Cloister. There are several very old tombs in the graveyard, and many sleep there whose name is now extinct in the locality. There is a tomb there lately erected, where lies the only daughter of Sir Charles Barrington of Glenstal, who was accidentally shot during the struggle with the Black and Tans 1920/'21. Barrington was the descendant of the Cromwellian settler, who owned the land of Glenstal. Tradition tells us that the first Barrington was a tin smith in Cromwell's army, and having rendered some service to his master, he presented him with the lands and Castle of Glenstal, as a gift for his service. The former owner of Glenstal is now in England, the

Mrs. Lloyd, wife of William Lloyd, a late landlord of Towerhill, died about the year 1882. Many people who were present in the great house on the night of her death, tell a remarkable story. It appears that Mrs. Lloyd was at dinner, and the maid who attended the table, noticed that although plenty food was before the mistress of the house, she seemed to be eating nothing. She appeared to be in a daze, and the maid being frightened ran down to the kitchen with the news. Some member of the staff went as quickly as possible to Cappamore for the "parson" who arrived in due time. The old lady was placed on a sofa, and soon after the parson's visit, she died. Now the remarkable part of the story is the night was reasonably calm and fine, and the house-keeper and some others were in the kitchen, when suddenly every door in the house

contests were the blacksmith's sledge. The sledge was used by local gatherings, and it was also used at sports until lately, when the regulation hammer was introduced. A smith's anvil was commonly used by the stronger men, and many splendid throws were of this ponderous missile made in the district, and were never recorded in the annals of sport.
Cappamore and surrounding districts boasted many splendid athletes, and did much in development of this branch in the County before the G.A.A. took control just fifty four years ago in 1884.

The old people believe in a lot of weather lore. They say if the sun rises early in the morning we are supposed to get rain. They believe in a lot of other things such as a rainbow in the evening is no farmer's delight. It is also said when the wind blows from the direction of Cappamore it brings the rain. When the swallows fly very low it is a sign of rain. It is also said when the dog begins to eat grass we are supposed to get rain. Another belief is when the smote goes up straight we are to get fine weather. It is also said when the crows go under the trees we are to get fine weather, and when the hills are looking clear we are to get sunshine.

There are not many brave men in my district. Strong man, Thomas Kemp, Mongfume, Murroe, Co. Limerick. Lifting of stones, Michael Carroll Mongfume, Murroe, Co. Limerick. Swift runners. Taid Brennan, Portnard, Cappamore, Co. Limerick. Great Walkers. Paddy Courtney, Mintulla, Murroe, Co. Limerick. Great jumpers. William Gibbon, Mongfume, Murroe. Co. Limerick. Powerful swimmers Mick Hayes, Mintulla, Murroe, Co. Limerick, Great Mower. Jerry Carey, Mintulla, Murroe, Co. Limerick. Noted dancer. Paddy Flavin, Mintulla, Murroe, Co. Limerick.

There are alot of local heroes in the country, but my district is not lacking in this respect. In great runners we have in particular Mr. Brennen of Portnard, Cappamore, Co. Limerick. Another great mower is John Power of Ballyvoreen. William Fitz-Gibbon was able to jump six feet in height. We have two very strong men in the parish. Thomas Kemp fifteen stone in weight and Mr Carroll is seventeen stone. They live in Mongfume. Paddy Courtney of Moys cross was a very quick walker. He was able to walk six miles an hour. Michael Hayes was one of the famous swimmers of Mintulla who was able to go twenty feet in the water.

Local Cures
People used to go to a well in Cragg, the waters of this well were supposed to have healing for sore eyes. People used to go there and give rounds so many times, the water was rubbed to the eyes. Cures were affected in many cases. There was a man named John OConnor who lived in Killonan but he formerally belonged to the parish of Cappamore who was able to cure the yellow-jaundice with herbs. The milk left behind by a ferret was a cure for the Chincough.

There are four graveyards in this parish. The names are Ballinanure, Abington, Clonkeen and Anna. The first named is in Mongfune. The rest of them are in their respective townslands. None of them is round in shape. Ballinanure graveyard is sloping a little towards the south. There are some old crosses made of iron in it but all the monuments are made of cement. There are no graveyards for unbaptised children in this Parish but there is one in Kyle in the Parish of Cappamore. Tis said that Ballinanure graveyard was at the other side of the road and it was removed over to where it is now in one night.

A fair was held in Tour two or three times when the Black and Tans were in Ireland. There is no fair held there now becuase no one would bring cattle there. The fairs were held in the streets of the town except in a few places. A person who sold cattle paid a toll to the Baron but if they did not sell they paid nothing. The toll only amounted to three pence or six pence for each beast. Then the Baron had to pay something each year to the Corporation of the town. When people sell cattle they usually give half a crown to the buyer. This is called luck money. Some cattle are marked with mud and others by clipping the hair off their sides. The fisrs of the year were held in Nenagh, Bridgetown, Limerick, Cappowhite, Cappamore and Newport.

I remember to hear the old people talking about a firkin of gold that was uried in Bilboa, in the parish of Cappamore, Co. Limerick. They went to dig one night for it and it seems when they were coming near the gold some visible signs came about there that made them retreat. About the same time it was an old custom to have horses tied in some part of their houses at home belonging to the parties that were diggin for the gold. About the same time the horse was brought from the end of the house and knocked across the fire. They were driven away from where they were digging. A while after they were digging in the same place and it seemed that the gold was removed but it there ever since.

When the mistress was putting it on the plates it was so thin that it was running off them. When the shoemaker saw this he took off his boots and ran for the door.
She said to him "Where are you going"? He replied "I am going to Cappamore and please shut the door so that the stirabout will not get up to me".

Brian Dalton, from around Cappamore, Co. Limerick. A ticket-of-leave man. Looking for coppers and a night's lodging. Would work a day if hard up. Was more than half-cracked.
About 35 or 40 years ago.

In the olden times there was an old castle in Cappamore and the fairy's used to be heard dancing around the house, and when the owners used to go to see who was there, they could not see or hear anything.
The castle was situated on the top of a hill with trees around it. It was called the Fairys Castle.

Jim O' Brien, (age 11 , 2)
Knock-na-corga
Doon,
Co. Limerick
10.11.1937Hidden Treasure.
Treasure is hid in Mr John Ryan's field,Dromsally,Cappamore, Co Limerick. It is hid under a big stone about 5 yards behind a little house that was built for gambling and it is the field opposite Mrs Ryans house
I dont know the name off the man who put it there. It was put there the time of the Black and Tans, by a man who was on the run.It is said that it is gold that is hidden there.
Two men went to dig it up, but just as they were rolling away the stone a big bul await them, and they had to run for their lives.And people were afraid to dig it up after for fear they would be killed. My grandfather told me about this.
John Ryan, (Age 13..7)
convent view
Cappamore
Co. limerick
10.11.1937

afford to throw up money, it is thrown up by the bridegroom. When the married pair are going off in their motor car, an old boot is tied to the back of the car and ribbons are tied for luck.
The bride is not supposed to see her own house for a month, unless she is going to live there. Charles O'Reilly, (12 3/12 yrs)
Main Street
Cappamore,
Co. Limerick
25.2.1938
_______________________
Marriage Customs in CappamoreMarriages most frequently take place during Shrove. Friday and Saturday are the most unluckiest days to get married. But as the saying says: Monday for health,
Tuesday for wealth,
Wednesday the best day of all
Thursday for bosses
Friday for crosses,
Saturday no luck at all"

III
When letters come from home to me, tis sadly I lament.
That cruel fate that tempted me, when far from home i went.
I cheered myself in spite of all, but still I cant ignore.
The fact of faith that savoured me.
Was my own dear Cappamore.IVAnd never while my heart shall beat.
Shall I forget you dear.
Through absent from my native place.
In my dreams you still are near.
And ever until my race is run.
And the span of life is over, shall I forget those grand old days
That I spent around Cappamore.
Ainm an scolaire: Doirin Ní Loinsigh.