Hidden Treasure

transcribed at

Hidden Treasure  [duchas:4998972]

Hidden Treasure 
This story of a hidden treasure of gold was told to me by my mother. The treasure was supposed to be hidden in a rath which is situated on the left hand side of the road which leads to Conna.

Attempts were made once to unearth it by two men named Kehoe. One of these men had been enabled to see this treasure by a dream, which he dreamt three nights in succession. The treasure consisted of gold and was supposed to be buried the time the Danes were in Ireland, fearing an invasion they buried all their gold.

This man started out one very dark night to dig for the gold accompanied by another man and a dummy who was to hold the lantern. When they arrived at the spot where the treasure was supposed to be hidden, they placed a string of wool dipped in holy water, in a circle around the spot. 

They then commenced to dig and

Hidden Treasure  [duchas:4998973]

they had gone only a couple of feet when they were sweating. Soon one of the men hit a flag and he knew that it was covering the crock of gold, as he dreamt it was covered with a flag. Immediately he touched the flag a bull appeared that was minding gold. The dummy who was holding the lantern saw him first, and, with one shout he dropped the lantern and ran. The spell was then broken, and the three men had to withdraw. When they returned in the morning the ground was the same as if it had never been touched and the spades were on the ground.
                 
                  Mary Dunne,
                     Fethard,
                   Co.Wexford.