Category: Schools’ Folklore

Photo credit; Bridget O’Connor

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In Childers’ Park

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Schools’ Folklore, Clandouglas School

This story was told to the writer by William McElligott, a farmer of 65 years of age from Glenoe between Listowel and Tralee. He was bred and born there and still lives there. He told me that Gleann na Léime was so called from Finn Mac Cumhail who used to hunt in that district with his Fianna. It is said he jumped from one side of the glen to the other a distance of 500 feet and that he attempted to jump it back again but failed. He fell in the rocks between the two hills. His footprints are still to be seen six inches deep in the solid rock. He then threw a stone 2 tons in weight, and it alighted in a meadow 3/4 miles away in a field in Mr. McElligott’s farm. That meadow is still called Rockfield. The stone stands there still, five feet under and five feet over the ground.

There is another field in Mr. McElligott’s farm called “Andy’s meadow” . He always heard the tradition that in the time of the “White Boys” they used to practise drilling there. It is believed that guns were hidden there.

The same man, Mr. Wm. McElligott, Glenoe told me the following story which was told him by his father who died years ago.
One night he, the father, got out of bed to look at a field of corn as he was afraid the cows would break in to it. He found one heifer in the corn, and he set the dog on her. The dog drove the heifer out of the cornfield + followed her a circuitous route to the house, the man himself coming across the fields in the direction of the house too. When crossing one field he heard the galloping of horses and cracking of whips and he had to run to get out of the way of a number of horsemen. When he reached the fence he looked again and saw them steering their course for the wild bog and they were soon out of sight.
When the man reached the house, he found both dog and heifer in the yard. He tied the heifer in the stall and went to bed. In a short time after the heifer appeared outside the window of the room, bellowing. He remained in bed until morning, when he got out and dressed.

He went to the stall to see if the heifer was there. There she was tied, as he had left her earlier in the night.
COLLECTOR Margaret Shanahan

INFORMANT Mr William Mc Elligott

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Changes in Town

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Remembering the Handball Alleys

I have been contacted by Caoimhe about this exciting new project. Below is her call out to everyone with any memories of Listowel Handball Alley. Maybe you have played there, courted there, took part in a decorating project there…any memory at all, Caoimhe wants to hear from you. She will be in town in the next few weeks. If you’d like to talk to her to share a memory drop me a line at listowelconnection@gmail.com

IN YOUR WORDS…

Do you have a handball alley tale to tell? 

Airy, natural, honest, unadorned – handball alleys are magical spaces full of stories – we’re creating a collection & would love to hear YOURS.  Get involved by contacting Caoimhe at broadreach@coisceim.com with memories of your handball alley. We are welcoming stories in written form via email, but Caoimhe will also be visiting Listowel in the coming weeks so if you would like to tell your tale and have it recorded or transcribed – just let us know!

Find out more at https://coisceim.com/inthemagichour/ or email broadreach@coisceim.com for further details.

IN THE MAGIC HOUR is presented as part of Brightening Air | Coiscéim Coiligh, a nationwide, ten day season of arts experiences brought to you by Arts Council Ireland. To see the full Brightening Air | Coiscéim Coiligh programme, visit www.brighteningair.com

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Believe It or Not

The man who sent the world’s first email in 1971 can’t remember what it said.

(Source; 1339 Facts to make your Jaw Drop)