Walterstown

Abstract: A collection of folklore and local history stories from Walterstown (school) (Walterstown, Co. Meath), collected as part of the Schools' Folklore Scheme, 1937-1938 under the supervision of teacher Proinseas, Bean Uí Cheallaigh.

Original reference: 0686/2

In collection The Schools’ Collection : County Meath schools

  1. Before the old road was closed in, on The Old Mill side of the road, this happened. (p. 073)
  2. There was an old man named Johnny Boyle who lived in an old house at Crush-a-Roddy. (p. 074)
  3. An old man names Pat Byrd was coming home one night on the Church Road. (p. 074)
  4. When a cat scrapes you, just pull as much "down" as would come with you at once and out it on the scrape. (p. 075)
  5. Peter McDonald and Joe Hoey have the cure of the "dirty mouth". (p. 075)
  6. Johnny Traynor, Grandfather of the present Traynors) who lived at Walterstown Castle, was coming home one night from Navan when he heard steps hurrying after him. (p. 076)
  7. Near the house where Dicky Kierans is living, in the Lismullon Road, there is a hill called Saddle Hill. (p. 076-077)
  8. Near Tully's Lane there is an old house where this happened. (p. 077-078)
  9. Paid Wheeler, a a man who lived about Walterstown was in Somerville one day. (p. 078)
  10. Johnny Maguire, nicknamed The Caudy, lived in Derby's Lane. (p. 079)
  11. In Boylamh of Hilltown there was a prize cow that the Boylamh thought the world of. (p. 080-083)
  12. Caudie Maguire was sent to Duleek for cattle by Old Peter Austin of Slanduff. (p. 083-084)
  13. Two people who marry and have the same name can cure the chin-cough. (p. 084)
  14. When the jackdaws fly up against the wind and fall back, this is the sign of storm. (p. 084-086)
  15. Peter Cullen, or Cullen the Slater was a slater by trade and he lived about Walterstown somewhere. (p. 086-087)
  16. Johnny Mulligan, a carpenter who lived in the Drogheda Road, Walterstown, used to be ceilidhing up about Runahan (Kentstown Parish). (p. 087-088)
  17. From the big Beach Tree over on the Glen Road to the end of the Glen Lane there is a stray step. (p. 089)
  18. Collier the Robber (p. 090)
  19. There was once a man called Critchley and occassionally he used to go to a hill in Lismullen land called Reloo where he used to be taken away by the fairies and he often was away for a fortnight. (p. 090)
  20. Willie Handlon lived in the Glen. (p. 091)
  21. Merryman lived at the old castle of Walterstown. (p. 091)
  22. Mrs John Reilly a school teacher who lived in my own house used to go every evening for a walk as far as the Five Roads. (p. 092-093)
  23. There was once a griddle in the Glen. (p. 093-094)
  24. Cure (p. 095)
  25. Little Red Men (p. 096)
  26. Many years ago there was a mine-hole in front of George Clarke's house, and one day while the people were at dinner the mine-hole fell in and all the tools were buried. (p. 096-097)
  27. Johnny Boyle who lived at Cross a Greallaigh used to go to Darby's shop every night for things. (p. 097-098)
  28. If you suffer from pains and if you go to the mearing of two parishes nine times and get water there nine times you can get cured. (p. 098)
  29. When a frog come in, it is going to be wet. (p. 099)
  30. Paddy Wheeler, who lived around Walterstown, used to be fishing and the bobbies used to be out after him. (p. 099)
  31. At the time Paddy Wheeler lived in Walterstown, The Baushla River was full of trout. (p. 099)
  32. Where Michael Byrd of the Trim Road (locally Slanduff Road) is now living there used to be a forge. (p. 100)
  33. One night Johnny Mulligan (a carpenter who lived on the Slanduff Road in Walterstown Parish) went out to pick mushrooms around the fields at Slanduff. (p. 100-101)
  34. Mr. Macken (RIP) who lived near the chapel of Walterstown, used to own the land in which is St Patrick's Well. (p. 102)
  35. Long ago there used to be a forge where Jim Poland's House is now - in Walterstown near the chapel. (p. 103)
  36. Strong Man (p. 103-104)
  37. Moate Field (p. 104-106)
  38. Many years ago there stood at Walterstown Chapel a flourishing Public house and a provision shop. (p. 106-107)
  39. Where the present Walterstown school is there once was an old thatched school. (p. 107-108)
  40. A little way by Mickie Byrd in Farrell's field there is a big stone. (p. 109)
  41. Christy and Pat Macken every night used to sit at the fire for a chat. (p. 109-110)
  42. Mrs Gaffney who lived at Proudstown say about 20 yds at this side of Browne's House was getting water at the well at the off side of the road. (p. 111)
  43. Cure of the Whittle (p. 111)
  44. Thorn in the Hand (p. 112)
  45. To Cure the Whooping-Cough (p. 112)
  46. Cave (p. 112-113)
  47. Innocent Johnny (p. 113-114)
  48. There used to be two men shovelling wheat in the Lime-kiln Hill, just opposite Michael Byrd's door on the Drogheda-Trim Road. (p. 114-115)
  49. Harvest Time (p. 116)
  50. Stone in Farrell's Field (p. 116)
  51. Cure for a Pain in the Side (p. 117)
  52. Macken's Publicans and Farmers who lived opposite the present School in Walterstown. were at one time very well off. (p. 117-118)
  53. Planting the Oats (p. 118-119)
  54. Cure for the Sore Throat (p. 119)
  55. Christy Macken used to plant potatoes in a stocking. (p. 119)
  56. Old Blessings (p. 120)
  57. School (p. 120)
  58. House and a Shop (p. 120)
  59. Paid Connely (p. 121)
  60. Merryman (p. 122)
  61. Weather-Lore (p. 122)
  62. Round O (p. 123)
  63. Fairy Music (p. 123)
  64. Mickey Lynch had an uncle who used to play cards in Walterstown. (p. 123-124)
  65. Old Houses (p. 124-125)
  66. Common Birds of the District (p. 125-128)
  67. Forge (p. 128-129)
  68. Public House (p. 129)
  69. Castle (p. 129)
  70. Weather-Signs (p. 130)
  71. There lived between Slanduff and Walterstown in an old thatched house a family called Mulligans. (p. 130)
  72. Caudy Maguire (p. 130)
  73. Betty McGrath (p. 131)
  74. Walterstown Castle (p. 131)
  75. Walterstown National School (p. 131-132)
  76. Big Wind (p. 132-133)
  77. Marriages usually take place immediately before Lent and immediately after. (p. 133)
  78. If it rains before seven it will clear before eleven. (p. 133)
  79. Where I live now there once lived people of the name of Wilsons. (p. 133-134)
  80. Signs (p. 134-135)
  81. Without title (p. 136)
  82. There were Brahmin hens and Bantam cocks, and Loughrans there to crow. (p. 136)
  83. Bird-Lore (p. 136-139)
  84. Fairy-Lore (p. 139-140)
  85. Templekeeran Graveyard (p. 140)
  86. Seven Little Men (p. 140-141)
  87. Seven Little Men (p. 141-142)
  88. Cure of the Blast (p. 142)
  89. One night Daddy's father was coming home from work and he saw a lot of little black men on the road before him and when he was passing, they all made a division to let him pass. (p. 143)
  90. One night about two months ago, some very red lights were seen up in the north. (p. 143)
  91. Ghost (p. 143)
  92. Weather-Signs (p. 144)
  93. Fairy Man (p. 144-146)
  94. Cure for the Dirty Mouth (p. 147)
  95. Wakes Long Ago (p. 147-148)
  96. Graveyards (p. 149)
  97. Animals (p. 149-150)
  98. Funeral Customs (p. 150-151)
  99. Marriage Long Ago (p. 151-152)
  100. Saying (p. 152-153)
  101. One night Mickie Monaghan and Jack Darby dreamt that there was money hidden near the old castle. (p. 153)
  102. This is how they use to make the mud for mud-walls of the old houses. (p. 153-155)
  103. Many years ago Skyrne could boast one of the best Fairs in Ireland. (p. 155-156)
  104. Names of Farms According to Roads (p. 156-157)
  105. There was a big wind in 1903 and it destroyed alot of things in the Parish. (p. 157-158)
  106. There was a widow living in Walterstown and she had a few acres of land, and the Landlord would come for the rent. (p. 158-159)
  107. Mr Patrick Moore had a forge. (p. 160-161)
  108. This is a cure that the old people used to have. (p. 161-162)
  109. Farms of this Parish (p. 162-163)
  110. Cures - Herbs (p. 163-165)
  111. Cures (p. 165-166)
  112. Burial Custom (p. 166)
  113. Custom - Sunday Classes (p. 166)
  114. Saddle Hill (p. 167)
  115. Collier the Robber (p. 167)
  116. Good Runner (p. 167-168)
  117. Rock Road farms are in Thomas Donelly's. (p. 168-172)
  118. Hemlock mixed in buttermilk and sheep washed with it, keeps the flies away from them. (p. 173-174)
  119. In Gerraldstown Castle on the Johnstown Road, there is beautiful stain-Glass in part of the roof. (p. 175)
  120. At Rowntree's there is a water-stone. (p. 175)
  121. Johnny Kelly of Kentstown, now dead, was born in the Parish of Walterstown at the Old Mills in the farm of Fairland. (p. 176)
  122. Old Sayings (p. 176)
  123. Crush-a-Roddy (p. 176)
  124. Harvesting (p. 177)
  125. Bell (p. 178)
  126. Hidden Treasure (p. 178-179)
  127. Portlan Brian (p. 179-180)
  128. Old Custom (p. 180)
  129. Connellys (p. 180)
  130. Johnny Boyle who lived at Crush was working at the Hollows at Daly's near The Nanny River. (p. 181)
  131. Hughie Eggnot (p. 181)
  132. Innocent Mickey (p. 181)
  133. Merryman (p. 181-182)
  134. Travellers (p. 183)
  135. Paddy Butterly (p. 183-184)
  136. Matrimony (p. 184-185)
  137. Rev James O' Callaghan (p. 185)
  138. Salt Man (p. 186)
  139. Old Sayings (p. 186)
  140. Old School (p. 186-187)
  141. Bird-Lore (p. 187-188)
  142. Bird-Lore (p. 188-189)
  143. Bird-Lore - Colours of Birds (p. 189-195)
  144. In olden times people had three meals. (p. 196)
  145. The kind of a churn that Mrs Donnelly had is a dash churn. (p. 196-198)
  146. Care of the Feet (p. 198-199)
  147. Cures (p. 199)
  148. Churning (p. 199-200)
  149. Flummery (p. 201)
  150. Leaven Bread (p. 201)
  151. Poor People (p. 201-202)
  152. Working Men (p. 202-203)
  153. Football (p. 203)
  154. Old Stones (p. 203)
  155. When the priest was collecting pennies at mass one day, he said to a man - "What is matrimony? "Hell upon earth for some me Lord", the man answered. (p. 204)
  156. Prayers (p. 204)
  157. St Patrick's Cross (p. 204)
  158. Girls used to get cabbage and hang it up in the kitchen on November Eve. (p. 205-206)
  159. One night Paddy Reynolds - son of James Reynolds - went asleep in the same room as the Big Fellow. (p. 206-207)
  160. In Staffordstown churchyard there is a stone and Latin is on it and Mrs Butler brought it to the garden and invited a minister from Kilmessan and one from Skryne to a garden party on the following Saturday. (p. 207)
  161. In Farrel's land above Walterstown, there are cropies buried in a place called the "Round O". (p. 207-208)
  162. Bread (p. 208-209)
  163. Suppers Long Ago (p. 209)
  164. Oonan (Tommy) was working for Charlie Rothwell who lived on the Navan Road, Staffordstown. (p. 210-211)
  165. Treasure (p. 212)
  166. Rush Candles (p. 212)
  167. Treasure (p. 213)
  168. Templekeeran (p. 213)
  169. Meals to the Poor (p. 214)
  170. Penal Days (p. 214)
  171. Thatcher (p. 214-215)
  172. Candles (p. 216)
  173. Pike-Maker (p. 216)
  174. Rope-Making (p. 216)
  175. Mill Farm (p. 216-217)
  176. Cures (p. 218)
  177. Landlords (p. 218-219)
  178. Old Houses (p. 219-220)
  179. Mumps (p. 220)
  180. Whooping-Cough (p. 220-221)
  181. Travellers (p. 222)
  182. If you hear an ass braying, it is the sign of wet weather. (p. 222-223)
  183. Games (p. 223-224)
  184. Roads (p. 224)
  185. Mass Paths (p. 224)
  186. Old Custom (p. 224)
  187. Toys (p. 225)
  188. Days (p. 226-227)
  189. Old Custom (p. 228)
  190. Tommy Kieramh atacked to take away "Saddle Hill". (p. 228-230)
  191. There was a woman who used to pass through this parish when Jimmy was a young chap. (p. 230-231)
  192. Old Saying (p. 231)
  193. Hay Football (p. 231)
  194. Proverbs (p. 232-236)
  195. Proverbs (p. 236-237)
  196. Proverbs and Sayings (p. 237)
  197. When the boys are playing Pitch and Toss they have a saying All on the road for Keating. (p. 237-238)
  198. Landlords (p. 238-239)
  199. Snow-Storm (p. 239-240)
Origin information
Walterstown, Co. Meath
Date created:
Type of Resource
text
Physical description
1 chapter (vol. 686, p. 72-240)
Languages
English  
Genre
Chapter
Subject
Folklore--Ireland--Meath
Traditional medicine   linked data (lcsh)
Thrushes   linked data (lcsh)
Ireland--History--Famine, 1845-1852
Weather--Folklore
Brigands and robbers   linked data (lcsh)
Jokes   linked data (lcsh)
Supernatural beings   linked data (afset)
Smithing   linked data (afset)
Manners and customs   linked data (lcsh)
Giants--Folklore
Felon (Disease)   linked data (lcsh)
Thorns   linked data (lcsh)
Whooping cough   linked data (lcsh)
Historic sites   linked data (lcsh)
Potatoes   linked data (lcsh)
Agriculture   linked data (lcsh)
Throat--Diseases
Verbal arts and literature   linked data (afset)
Schools   linked data (lcsh)
Irish Travellers (Nomadic people)   linked data (lcsh)
Dwellings--Folklore
Dissenters, Religious--Legal status, laws, etc.
Food--Folklore
Occupations   linked data (lcsh)
Winds--Folklore
Marriage   linked data (lcsh)
Rites and ceremonies   linked data (lcsh)
Land use   linked data (lcsh)
Animals--Folklore
Birds--Folklore
Cemeteries   linked data (lcsh)
Death--Folklore
Treasure troves--Folklore
Signs and symbols--Ireland
narratives   linked data (afset)
Folk beliefs   linked data (afset)
Proverbs   linked data (lcsh)
Folk poetry   linked data (lcsh)
Shoes   linked data (lcsh)
Butter   linked data (lcsh)
Recreation   linked data (lcsh)
Prayers   linked data (lcsh)
Saint Patrick's Day   linked data (lcsh)
Halloween   linked data (lcsh)
Bread--Folklore
Candlemaking   linked data (lcsh)
Thatched roofs   linked data (lcsh)
Rope trade   linked data (lcsh)
Mumps   linked data (lcsh)
Toys   linked data (lcsh)
Frost   linked data (lcsh)
School location
WalterstownWalterstownMonktownSkreenMeath
Location
https://doi.org/10.7925/drs1.duchas_5008908
Location
University College Dublin. National Folklore Collection UCD .

Original reference: 0686/2

Suggested credit
"The Schools' Manuscript Collection: County Meath schools," held by the National Folklore Collection UCD. © Digital content by University College Dublin, published by UCD Library, University College Dublin <http://digital.ucd.ie/view/duchas:50089085>
Funding
Supported by funding from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Ireland), University College Dublin, and the National Folklore Foundation (Fondúireacht Bhéaloideas Éireann), 2014-2016.
Record source
Metadata creation date: 2014/2016 — Metadata created by Fiontar, Dublin City University, in collaboration with the National Folklore Collection UCD and UCD Library. Original Fiontar metadata converted into MODS by UCD Library.

Rights & Usage Conditions

Creative Commons License
Walterstown is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Copyright of the original resource: University College Dublin

To use for commercial purposes, please contact the National Folklore Collection, UCD - See: http://n2t.net/ark:/87925/h1cc0xm5