The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE RED HAND OF THE O'NEILL'S

A LONG TIME AGO, THE KING OF IRELAND DIED. SO, THE CITIZENRY HAD
TO FIND A NEW KING. APPARENTLY THE SUCCESSOR WAS IN DISPUTE BETWEEN
2 MEN ONE OF THEM NOBLE NAMED O'NEILL. THE PEOPLE DEVISED A RACE,
WHERE THE FIRST MAN TO CROSS THE BODY OF WATER WOULD BECOME KING.
THE RACE BEGAN, BUT HUGE WAVES PREVENTED THEM FROM LANDING. THE
FUTURE KING WOULD HAVE TO TOUCH THE SHORE TO BECOME KING. THE
O'NEILL BEING THE CLEVER REALIZED HE NEEDED HIS RIGHT HAND TO RULE
SO, HE TOOK A SWORD AND CUT OFF HIS LEFT HAND, AND THREW IT ON
THE SHORE, THUS HE WAS THE FIRST MAN TO TOUCH SHORE AND BECAME KING.
THE RED HAND OF THE O'NEILL'S CAN STILL BE SEEN ON THE FAMILY COAT OF
ARMS

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Date learned: 12-08-1972