The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0966

Historical Tradition

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A battle was fought in Crocán na zCamps, Derryconnessy; Corlough. Co. Cavan. It is supposed to have been fought between the Gael and Danes. When the cavalry were coming to Crocán na zCamps they had a row and fought, a battle. They fought in Tullyvella and Conspud. It is not known which side won the battle, but they are still supposed to fight, at certain times of the year at night, and it is thought to be a bad sign of disturbance when dead people come back to fight.

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About 100-200 years ago battles were fought in the Town-lands of Tullyvella and Conspud between the dead people who fought at the battle of Crocán na zCamps. In the morning after these battles were fought, the heather would be red with blood. One night there was a fight in Conspud and a man heard a voice calling him by his Christian name, that a neighbours house was on fire. He looked out and saw the neighbours house on fire, but he did not go to it. Next day the house was not burned, but was as if nothing happened. About 100 years ago, one

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morning a man who lived near Tullyvella was going to a fair. At that time the people usually left the house after the cock crew. This man did not wait until the cock crew. Not far from his home he met a tall man riding on a horse. He had a sword and spurs, which glittered in the moonlight. About two minutes later he met a similar man. He heard them hitting their swords. He (heard) then fainted. These men were dead, and it was supposed that they had come back to fight. About fifty years ago a man was coming home from

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a fair in Swanlinbar, at night. He sat down on a ditch near Crocán na zCamps to rest. He began to sing aloud and he heard a crowd of people clapping their hands, when he finished.
There is a pass through Teeboy and Drumlougher, Bawnboy Co. Cavan called '' The Danes Pass. ''
It is thought that the Danes marched that way. There are Ogham stones at Crocán na zCamps. Once the protestants were going to burn Swanlinbar .R. C. Church.
The people came from miles around on the day that the Church was to be burned. They were armed with pitchforks, grapes and big sticks. Then they

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assembled round the Church, and defied the protestants. There is a pitchfork at Mr. Pat Devines. Arderry, Bawnboy. Co. Cavan, that his father had at the (Curnino) time the chapel was to be burned.
After the battle of Ballinamuck, pikes were hidden on O' Reillys hill, Cronera, Bawnboy, Co. Cavan. Crom Cruach the chief Idol of all Ireland , was situated on Darragh Fort, Kilnivart, Co. Cavan. It was a big (a big) monster of stone covered with gold. There were twelve smaller idols round him covered with silver. St Patrick hit him with his staff and he (Crom Cruach.) vanished.

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St. Patrick baptised children at Dominac Well, Ballyleenan, Bawnboy. Co. Cavan.
(There are no accounts of whether Cromwell was ever a shoemaker or his death was prophesised.)

Collector: Mollie Mc Govern
Address: Muineal, Co. Cavan
Informant: Mrs James Mc Govern
Address: Muineal, Co. Cavan
School: Coratillon
Location: Corratillan, Co. Cavan
Teacher: M. Ó Beirn

End.

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Thanks to Bernadette McGovern who transcribed this and a great many other pages of the The Schools' Collection, from the National Folklore Collection Archives.

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