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Proverb

Even a fish wouldn't get caught if he kept his mouth closed.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V500] crossed out. Replaced With current classification.

Where learned: IRELAND ; Gillespie, Charles ; BELFAST

Keyword(s): Aphorism ; Apothegm ; CATCH ; FISH ; Maxim ; Mouth ; PROVERB ; Trap ; VERSE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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GIRL STOLEN BY THE FAIRIES

ONE NIGHT THIS MAN WAS WALKING ALONG IN THE FOREST AND HE SAW
THREE MEN COMING CARRYING A COFFIN. (THERE ARE USUALLY FOUR MEN
WHO CARRY A COFFIN ON THEIR SHOULDERS IN IRELAND.) SO HE WENT
UP AND PUT HIS SHOULDER TO THE PLACE WHERE THE FOURTH MAN SHOULD
HAVE BEEN. WELL, THEY STOPPED AND HE SAT DOWN TO REST AND FELL
ASLEEP. WHEN HE WOKE UP THE THREE MEN WERE GONE BUT THE COFFIN
WAS THERE, AND HE OPENED IT AND THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN
IT. SHE WAS STILL ALIVE SO HE TOOK HER HOME WITH HIM, BUT SHE
COULDN'T TALK. WELL, SOME TIME LATER HE WAS WALKING THROUGH THE
SAME WOODS AND HE HEARD THESE VOICES TALKING. "IT WAS RIGHT HERE.
HE TOOK HER AWAY FROM US," THEY SAID. "IT'S TOO BAD HE DOESN'T
KNOW THAT SHE HAS A PIN IN HER EAR AND IF HE TAKES IT OUT SHE'LL
BE ABLE TO HEAR AND TO TALK." SO HE RAN HOME, AND SURE ENOUGH,
THERE WAS A PIN IN HER EAR AND WHEN HE TOOK IT OUT SHE BEGAN TO
TALK.

Submitter comment: MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS IN BELFAST, IRELAND, ABOUT 1915.

Where learned: IRELAND ; BELFAST

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 00001915 CA

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THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY

THERE WAS AN IRISHMAN NAMED FINN MC COUL--HE WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN--WHO USED TO SHOUT ACROSS THE IRISH SEA TO A SCOTSMAN, DARING
HIM TO FIGHT. ONE DAY HE TOLD THE SCOTSMAN TO COME ACROSS AND
HE'D REALLY GIVE HIM A GOOD FIGHT. THE SCOTSMAN SAID HE WOULD,
BUT HE COULDN'T SWIM. SO FINN MADE A STONE CAUSEWAY ACROSS THE
IRISH SEA AND THE SCOTSMAN CAME OVER. FINN BEAT HIM, OF COURSE.

Submitter comment: THIS CAUSEWAY REALLY EXISTS. THERE IS A PATH OF HUGE STONES
JUTTING OUT INTO THE IRISH SEA, BUT NOT COMPLETELY CROSSING IT
AND IT IS CALLED "GIANT'S CAUSEWAY."
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS STORY IN BELFAST, IRELAND ABOUT 1915.

Where learned: IRELAND ; BELFAST

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name

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SHE'S--MARKED:

BURNING "S" ON THE FACE OF A FEMALE WAS TO SHOW THAT SHE WAS AN
AN ADULTERER. THE MARK COULD BE ALSO CUT ON HER FACE.

Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS HOME TOWN.
THIS ITEM WAS TOLD TO HIM BY HIS ACQUAINTANCES WHEN HE VISITED IRELAND. THIS
TALE CAME ABOUT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF IRELAND'S BIRTH. THE SIGN WAS PUT ON THE
WOMAN'S FACE SO TO TELL "THE WORLD" OF HER SIN. I DIDN'T GET AN EXPLANATION WHY
THEY USED THE LETTER S.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): BRANDING ; PUNISHMENT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 00001930S

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MARBLES ON THE UPSTAIRS FLOOR

THE INFORMANT'S AUNT WAS BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND. SHE HAD
MOVED TO THE U.S. BUT HAD GONE BACK TO IRELAND AFTER THE DEATH
OF ONE OF HER CHILDREN. WHEN RETURNING TO IRELAND, THEY MOVED
INTO A HOUSE IN WHICH THEY DID NOT USE THE SECOND FLOOR. RETURN-
ING ONE EVENING FROM GOOD FRIDAY DEVOTIONS IN CHURCH, THE AUNT
NOTICED A LIGHT MOVING FROM ONE END OF THE HOUSE TO THE OTHER
ON THE SECOND FLOOR. THEY THOUGHT NOTHING OF THE LIGHT AT FIRST,
UNTIL THEY REALIZED THAT THE LIGHT COULD NOT MOVE FROM ONE END
OF THE HOUSE TO THE OTHER WITHOUT GOING THROUGH A COUPLE OF
WALLS. WHEN THEY RETURNED HOME THEY QUESTIONED THE CHILDREN
ABOUT HAVING BEEN UPSTAIRS. THE CHILDREN CLAIMED THAT THEY HAD
NOT BEEN UP THERE. THE FATHER AND TWO BROTHERS WENT UPSTAIRS
TO LOOK AROUND BUT COULD FIND NOTHING. THE DOG WOULD NOT GO
UPSTAIRS. THAT NIGHT THERE WAS A TYPE OF NOISE ON THE FLOOR
UPSTAIRS. THE NOISES CONTINUED EVERY NIGHT, GETTING LOUDER AND
LOUDER AND TURNING INTO SOFT CRIES AND MOANING. THE AUNT HAD THE
HOUSE BLESSED TWICE WITHIN TWO WEEKS TO RID IT OF THE NOISE.
AFTER SOME TIME AS THE NOISE GOT LOUDER, THE PRIEST WAS AGAIN
CALLED TO BLESS THE HOUSE. THE FAMILY WENT TO TOWN AND LOOKED
UP THE HISTORY OF THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE HOUSE. THEY FOUND
THAT THE HOUSE HAD ONCE BEEN OWNED BY A VERY WEALTHY MAN. THIS
MAN'S MAID WENT INSANE AND ONE DAY CHOKED THE TWO LITTLE CHILDREN
TO DEATH BY STUFFING MARBLES DOWN THEIR THROATS. UPON RETURNING
TO THE HOUSE WITH THE PRIEST TO AGAIN BLESS IT, THEY FOUND MARBLES
ON THE UPSTAIRS FLOOR. THESE MARBLES HAD BEEN MAKING THE NOISE
IN THE NIGHT. THE BODIES OF THE TWO CHILDREN HAD BEEN PLACED IN
THEIR TOY CHESTS. THESE CHESTS HAD LONG BEFORE BEEN REMOVED.

Where learned: DETROIT ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Precious stone Gem
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 03-31-1967

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ON THE STAIRS

IF YOU PASS SOMEONE ON THE STAIRS, IN THE HOUSE, IT IS AN OMEN
OF BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: GRANDMA HAS KNOWN THIS ONE AS LONG AS SHE CAN REMEMBER AND THINKS
SHE GOT IT FROM HER MOTHER WHO CAME FROM IRELAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 09-00-1963

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DRINK CUSTOM

IRISH TEA IS HOT AND BLACK, AND ACCORDING TO PERSCRIPTION,
"STRONG ENOUGH FOR A MOUSE TO TROT ON."

Submitter comment: INFORMANT RECALLED THIS ON A VISIT TO THE FAMOUS IRISH SEMINARY IN
MAYNOOTH, IRELAND.

Where learned: IRELAND

Keyword(s): HYPERBOLE

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root
SPEECH -- Formula
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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REMEDY

TO CURE WARTS, CUT AN IRISH POTATO IN HALF, RUB IT ON THE WART,
THROW IT OVER YOUR SHOULDER AND DON'T LOOK BACK.

Submitter comment: WHEN JUDY VISITED IRELAND SHE FOUND THE IRISH TO BE SOMEWHAT
SUPERSTITIOUS. THEY ALSO HAD REMEDIES FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

Where learned: IRELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION ; TRANSFER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

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NURSERY RHYME

ST. DUNSTAN AS THE STORY GOES, ONCE PULLED THE DEVIL BY HIS NOSE
WITH RED HOT TONGS THAT MADE HIM ROAR, THAT COULD BE HEARD TEN
MILES OR MORE.

Where learned: IRELAND

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative C820.432
BELIEF -- Devil Demon

Date learned: 00-00-1977

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WHEN PASSING A CATHOLIC CHURCH, YOU MUST MAKE THE
SIGN OF THE CROSS, FOR RESPECT AND GOOD FAITH.

Where learned: IRELAND ; KILLARNEY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church

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WITCHES

NEVER WALK ALONE AFTER MIDNIGHT, BECAUSE THIS IS THE TIME
WITCHES AND SPIRITS COME OUT.

Where learned: IRELAND ; KILLARNEY ; EIRE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour

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According to an old Irish tradition, if you surround a room
with green where a baby is about to be born, you will
have a child that will be happy, healthy and prosperous.

Submitter comment: Learned this from a tour operator in Ireland.

Where learned: IRELAND

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Birth
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 07-00-1988

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Many Irish people climb the mountain Crogh Patrick for penance
on St Patrick's Day. Some of the older generation still climb the
mountain in their bare feet as was traditional. Climbing Crogh
Patrick is done to celebrate St. Patrick's bringing of
Christianity to Ireland.

Where learned: IRELAND

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern
BELIEF -- Religious hero

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"Drowning of the shamrock" is traditional on St. Patrick's Day
in Ireland. It means going to the local pub and getting drunk.

Where learned: IRELAND

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick

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A popular saying in Ireland is that St. Patrick drove all the
snakes out of Ireland but he forgot Lanster House. Lanster House
is the Irish Parliament.

Where learned: IRELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): SATIRE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

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The Irish do not traditionally eat corned beef and cabbage,
but eat a mixture of bacon and cabbage instead.

Where learned: IRELAND

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Meat Bred animal

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Colcannon is traditionally eaten on St. Patrick's Day in
Ireland. It is a mixture of cabbage, scallions, green onions, and
kale.

Where learned: IRELAND

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable

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IT IS PART OF THE IRISH BURIAL CUSTOMS THAT THEY HAVE BIG
PARTIES AND CELEBRATIONS AT THEIR WAKES.

Where learned: SCHOOL ; IRELAND

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 03-05-1968

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ANCIENT BURIAL CUSTOM IN IRELAND: BODIES WERE PUT STANDING
UPRIGHT FOR A QUICK EXIT AT THE LAST DAY. IF THEY WERE
WARRIORS THEY HELD THEIR SPEARS IN THEIR HANDS AND
(WERE) BURIED FACING THE ENEMY TERRITORY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BISHOP BORGESS HIGH SCHOOL

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 11-00-1970

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NO FUNERAL HOMES IN IRELAND. THE DEAD PERSON OR CORPSE IS
LAID OUT ON THE BED. THEN WHEN BEING TRANSFERRED FROM THE
BED TO THE CASKET THE SIX CHAIRS WHICH THE CASKET HAS
BEEN RESTING ON ARE ALL TURNED UPSIDE DOWN FOR THE REST
OF THE DAY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT RECALLS WHEN THIS WAS DONE AT HER FATHER'S WAKE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; IRELAND ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 11-00-1970

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