<<<<<<<
Spine Chilling Tale from Clandouglas School
From School’s Folklore Collection
When the Fitzmaurices were Earls of Lixnaw and in their hey-day, some of them were very cruel. One time it happened that a poor widow woman lived in the vicinity. She had one son whom she sent picking “brosna” firewood in a field called the “Big Orchard” belonging to the Court. The Earl came out and found the boy gathering the sticks. There and then he ordered the servants to hang him from the nearest tree, and they did. When the poor mother heard it she came and stood in front of the Chapel in the Court and cursed the Earl and wished that before long the Rooks and Jackdaws would build their nests in the Court of the Fitzmaurices.
It is said that from that time on a decline came.
Whenever the Earls expected an attack or invasion in Elizabethan and Cromwellian times they hid their gold and treasure in the bottom of Casks which they then filled up with tallow. The Casks were then passed over as unimportant and when quietness reigned again the Earls knew where to find their treasures.
Told by Mr. Michael O’Connell aged 65
<<<<<<<
Returning to Normal
<<<<<<<<<
1921 in Listowel to be the Subject of a radio Documentary
I received this email seeking our help from John Murphy of BBC Radio.
Good morning,
My name’s John Murphy. I make radio documentary programmes for the BBC (usually BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service). I will be working on a project with Fergal Keane sometime later this summer. It’s focused on events in 1921 in and around Listowel (where Fergal’s family comes from), including the killing of James Kane in June 1921, by the IRA.
I am keen to track down any of his relatives or descendants. Might you have any suggestions of anyone who might be able to help me with that?
Many thanks,
John
John Murphy
BBC Radio Current Affairs
New Broadcasting House
Portland Place
London W1A 1AA
M +44 7740 818 135
<<<<<<<<
Believe it or Not
Dolphins can stay awake for 15 hours at a time
(From 1339 Facts to Make your Jaw Drop)