Peculiar Tales and Customs

J.K.A.S. VOL. V, NO. 6

CUSTOMS PECULIAR TO CERTAIN DAYS, FORMERLY OBSERVED IN COUNTYKILDARE.

HARMLESS AMUSEMENTS

(b) Our plates were set on a table each one holding something different; water in the first which signified migration, a ring in the second signifying marriage, a day in the third to signify death and finally straw or salt in the fourth which meant prosperity. A person was blind-folded and led to the table into which ever plate they put their hand so would there future turn out.

ANIMALS

HORSES - A horse or mare foaled at Whitsuntide is sure to turn out vicious; if kept, it will cause the death of its owner.

The money buried at Inch Castle

They say that there is money buried at Inch Castle but anyone who tries to dig it up has to leave because of the storm and the noise of ghosts that occurs as soon as you are just about to open it. There was a well at Inch Castle, people wanted to fill it up. It took them one week to do it. One morning they found it open and bigger than ever before.

Wells

It is said that you cannot boil the water from Glassealy well.

A rich man called Keating who lived near the Toberra well lived in a place that had a Spring Well and the people would come for water. So in order to stop this, he put dirt in the water. A year later he was broke. It is said to be unlucky to stop people getting spring water.

Devil & Apple

It is said that God was eating an apple and there was a small devil apple in it. Ever since then the devil smells of apple when crushed.

J.K.A.S. Vol. VII - pp.325-327

The Quicken Bush

Concerns putting a quicken-bush in the corners of fields to prevent the crops being taken. The farmers were often seen sticking a bit of quicken-bush to the gates of their fields and tying a red rag to the cow?s tail.

Women And Horses

Concerns the superstition that it was unlucky for a woman to walk in front of 2 horses.

J.K.A.S. Vol. III Pg. 368-371

How Tom Daly saw the Dead Coach coming down Sal's Hill

Concerning the sighting of the dead coach. It made a buzzing noise, had no lights and the horses and horsemen were headless. Sometimes it wouldn?t be seen, just heard.

Mowing the Rath

Concerning some men who were to mow a rath, but one who tried first had his thigh broken. This was said to always happen if you tried to mow a rath.