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THE WAY OF THE LEPRECAUN

THE LEPRECAUNS HAD CEASED WORK AND WERE LOOKING AT THE
CHILDREN. SEUMAS TURNED TO THEM.
"GOD BLESS THE WORK," HE SAID POLITELY.
ONE OF THE LEPRECAUNS, WHO HAD A GREY, PUCKERED FACE AND A
THIN FRINGE OF GREY WHISKER VERY FAR UNDER HIS CHIN THEN
SPOKE.
"COME OVER HERE, SEUMAS BEG," SAID HE, "AND I'LL MEASURE
YOU FOR A PAIR OF SHOES. PUT YOUR FOOT UP ON THAT ROOT."
THE BOY DID SO AND THE LEPRECAUN TOOK THE MEASURE OF HIS
FOOT WITH A WOODEN RULE.
"NOW BRIGID BEG, SHOW ME YOUR FOOT," AND HE MEASURED HER
ALSO. "THEY'LL BE READY FOR YOU IN THE MORNING."
"DO YOU NEVER DO ANYTHING ELSE BUT MAKES SHOES, SIR?" SAID
SEUMAS.
"WE DO NOT," REPLIED THE LEPRECAUN, "EXCEPT WHEN WE WANT
NEW CLOTHES, AND THEN WE HAVE TO MAKE THEM, BUT WE GRUDGE
EVERY MINUTE SPENT MAKING ANYTHING ELSE EXCEPT SHOES,
BECAUSE THAT IS THE PROPER WORK FOR A LEPRECAUN. IN
THE NIGHTTIME WE GO ABOUT THE COUNTRY INTO PEOPLE'S
HOUSES AND WE CLIP LITTLE PIECES OFF THEIR MONEY, AND SO,
BIT BY BIT, WE GET A CROCK OF GOLD TOGETHER, BECAUSE,
DO YOU SEE, A LEPRECAUN HAS TO HAVE A CROCK OF GOLD SO
THAT IF HE'S CAPTURED BY MEN FOLK, HE MAY BE ABLE TO RANSOM
HIMSELF. BUT THAT SELDOM HAPPENS, BECAUSE IT'S A GREAT
DISGRACE ALTOGETHER TO BE CAPTURED BY A MAN AND WE'VE
PRACTICED SO LONG DODGING AMONG THE ROOTS HERE THAT WE
CAN EASILY GET AWAY FROM THEM. OF COURSE, NOW AND AGAIN
WE ARE CAUGHT; BUT MEN ARE FOOLS, AND WE ALWAYS ESCAPE
WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY THE RANSOM AT ALL. WE WEAR GREEN
CLOTHES BECAUSE IT IS IN THE COLOR OF THE LEAVES, AND WHEN WE
SIT UNDER A BUSH OR LIE IN THE GRASS, THEY JUST WALK BY
WITHOUT NOTICING US."

Submitter comment: MRS. BYRNE, MY GRANDMOTHER, TOLD THIS TO A LITTLE BOY
DOWN THE BLOCK. SHE CLAIMS THERE ARE LEPRECAUNS AND
SO HAS BELIEVED THE STORY SINCE SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL
IN IRELAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND

Keyword(s): LEPRECHAUNS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size

Date learned: 01-00-1964

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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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TYPOGRAPHICAL DISPLAY

00000()00000
"WAH, WHO BROKE MY BALLON?"

Where learned: BELFAST ; NORTH IRELAND

Subject headings: Favorites
SPEECH -- To Be Seen

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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THE RICH GET RICHER AND THE POOR GET CHILDREN.

Where learned: IRELAND

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 11-01-1967

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IF THERE ARE FOUR PEOPLE GREETING ONE ANOTHER AND TWO
OF THEM SHAKE HANDS ACROSS THE HAND SHAKE OF THE OTHER
TWO, THERE WILL BE A WEDDING.

Submitter comment: MRS.. MALONY LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD. SHE WAS
BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND.

Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 02-19-1967

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IRISH NAMING

IN IRELAND PEOPLE DID NOT MOVE FROM TOWN TO TOWN, THEREFORE
WAS MUCH INTERMARRYING OF RELATIVES. VERY FEW FIRST NAMES WERE
USED AND ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE TOWN HAD THE SAME LAST NAMES
SO PEOPLE WERE REFERRED TO BY A CHAIN OF THEIR ANCESTORS AND A
USE OF NICKNAMES. THEY WOULD SAY THE PERSON'S FIRST NAME, THEN
THEIR FATHER'S, AND THEIR GRANDFATHER'S AND SOMETIMES EVEN
GREAT-GRANDFATHER'S.

Submitter comment: FOR EXAMPLE, THE COLLECTOR'S NAME IS KATHY, JACK, JACK, SEAN OGO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; 1234 WASHINGTON BLVD

Subject headings: Person / Nickname

Date learned: 11-18-1970

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RELIGIOUS GESTURE

BEFORE RIDING IN A CAR SPRINKLE THE CAR WITH HOLY WATER.

Where learned: IRELAND ; 48 LOWES KIMMAGE ; DUBLIN

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration

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WHEN THE BANSHEE CRY, IT'S A SIGN THAT THERE WILL BE
A DEATH IN FAMILY OR NEIGHBORHOOD.

Where learned: IRELAND ; BELFAST

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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ST. PATRICK LEGEND

ST. PATRICK FASTED FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS AND, WHILE
HE DID, HE ASKED THE LORD FOR CERTAIN FAVORS. ONE OF THE
THINGS HE ASKED FOR WAS THAT ON THE LAST JUDGMENT, HE
BE ALLOWED TO JUDGE THE IRISH NATION AND GOD GRANTED
HIS REQUEST.

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

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 01-13-1964 ; 00-00-1915

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ST. PATRICK LEGEND

ONE DAY, ST. PATRICK STUCK HIS STAFF INTO THE GROUND AND
IT GREW INTO A TREE. (PROBABLY A BLACK THORN TREE.)
HE ALSO CHASED ALL THE SNAKES OUT OF IRELAND AND TO THIS
DAY THERE AREN'T ANY SNAKES IN THE WHOLE OF IRELAND.

Submitter comment: MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS WHEN SHE LIVED IN BELFAST,
IRELAND, ABOUT 1910.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Plant Life
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal

Date learned: 01-13-1964 ; 00-00-1910

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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: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST

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

Date learned: 00001915 CA ; 01-13-1964

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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: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST

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

Date learned: 00001915 CA ; 01-13-1964

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ST. PATRICK LEGEND

ST. PATRICK FASTED FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS AND, WHILE
HE DID, HE ASKED THE LORD FOR CERTAIN FAVORS. ONE OF THE
THINGS HE ASKED FOR WAS THAT ON THE LAST JUDGMENT, HE
BE ALLOWED TO JUDGE THE IRISH NATION AND GOD GRANTED
HIS REQUEST.

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

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero

Date learned: 01-13-1964 ; 00-00-1915

View just this record

ST. PATRICK LEGEND

ONE DAY, ST. PATRICK STUCK HIS STAFF INTO THE GROUND AND
IT GREW INTO A TREE. (PROBABLY A BLACK THORN TREE.)
HE ALSO CHASED ALL THE SNAKES OUT OF IRELAND AND TO THIS
DAY THERE AREN'T ANY SNAKES IN THE WHOLE OF IRELAND.

Submitter comment: MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS WHEN SHE LIVED IN BELFAST,
IRELAND, ABOUT 1910.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Plant Life
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal

Date learned: 01-13-1964 ; 00-00-1910

View just this record

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: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST

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

Date learned: 00001915 CA ; 01-13-1964

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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: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST

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

Date learned: 00001915 CA ; 01-13-1964

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TAPE OF MISCELLANOUS INFORMATION

GHOATS, MONETARY SYSTEM,(NIARA & KOBO) DISEASES, WALKING BAREFOOTED,
CARRYING THINGS ON YOUR HEAD, GHOSTS OF CHILDREN, SUPERSTITIONS:
NIGERIAN SUPERSTITION, THEIR ORIGIN, JUJU, MAKING MONEY
USING HEAD OF CHILD, BANSHEE IN IRELAND, NIGERIAN LIGHTENING,
OMENS, CHARMS, GAMES, (MOTHER MAY I?)
WATER DANGEROUS FOR SWIMMING, AMDG FOR LUCK, FESTIVALS

Where learned: NIGERIA ; SOME FROM IRELAND

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
Observation
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F040!
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Monetary system Money Wealth
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Human
BELIEF -- P000
BELIEF -- Supernatural Being
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder
BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color
BELIEF -- Word Letter
BELIEF -- Medicine
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: OOOOI96OS

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PATTY THE BAG

APPARENTLY, IN IRELAND PATTY THE BAG IS A WITCH CREATURE WITH
WHICH CHILDREN ARE THREATENED IF THEY MISBEHAVE,
E.G. IF YOU DON'T WATCH OUT, PATTY THE BAG WILL TAKE YOU.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT HAD KNOWN OF THE LEGEND SINCE HER CHILDHOOD IN IRELAND.
SHE WAS BORN C. 1870

Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; IRELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): THREAT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- P435,

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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