Royal Tug-of-War

transcribed at

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In the reign of Ceallachan, King of Cashel in the 10th century, games and athletics were universally practised by the people and the spirit of rivalry was, therefore, much in evidence.

At this period a challenge came from the men of Meath to the men of Cashel to test their endurance on the "Rope."  Cashel accepted the challenge and under the patronage and guidance of their king, the men -- 21 in number -- of the brainiest the bravest and most powerful in "Gallant Tipperary," were chosen to compete with the best that Royal Meath could put against them.

At the toss of a royal coin between two chieftains, representing both parties, Cashel won the toss as to where the contest

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would be held. The "Devil's Bit" -- the great gap in the mountains within a stone's throw of the town of Templemore -- was the famous spot where the Tug of War was to take place.

The 29th of June -- Saint Peter and Paul's Day -- was the day appointed and as an old chronicles tells us: Not less than 50,000 people assembled on the plain and mountain-side to witness the game.  Kings, Princes, Chieftains and Gallowglasses came from as far as Fermanagh in the North and The Kingdom of Kerry in the South. Bards, harpers (?), trumpeters and numerous Pipers Bands in saffron kilts, flocked to enjoy the day and cheer the combatants.

After the National Anthem -- which at that time was Brian Boru's March -- was played and in which all assembled joined in singing the chorus, the Rope was brought into the ring,

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and the honour was conferred upon the grand-daughter of the Prince of Thomond -- blood relation to the King of Cashel -- who presented it to the captain of the Meath men.

The men lined up -- 21 brave, brawny, fierce-looking fellows from the fair plains of Meath and 21 equally strong, fierce-looking rivals from "Gallant Tipperary" and the Glen of Aherlow.  Forty-two men now grasped the rope as the royal bugler sounded the order to "pull."  The strain was terrible: muscles burst out like giants' veins from the arms and legs of the (combatants) contestants.

The green sward was literally ploughed up from the tremendous (?) heel-grips of those powerful men, while the mountain jaws of "The Bit" almost shivered beneath the swaying, roaring

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masses of people assembled there to watch the great contest.

Citizens of Cashel who could not be present at the match swarmed in thousands on The Rock cliffs, whilst others, more fortunate and daring, sat on the Square Castle parapet, or got permission from the monks to view the game from the Round Tower, or from the gables of the "Vicars' Choral Building." The cheers that came from those on The Rock were re-echoed by the mighty gathering -- 18 miles off -- around the famous "Devil's Bit" -- renowned in song and in story.

Suddenly, as if something tragic occurred, the brave men of Meath collapsed as one man and fell to the ground -- as if struck by a thunder-bolt or a giant's sledge-hammer.  Consternation and excitement

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were at the highest pitch. Cashel's King was the first (person) to requisition the aid of his ablest doctor - one Murtha Mac Phonage(?) who, after attempting to diagnose the cause of such a sudden and appalling happening, said it was beyond the knowledge of human science to presently and definitely state what really befell those brave rivals 'of Dalcassian's best' on the athletic field.

Thunder rolled and lightning flashed, and it seemed as if the flood-gates of the heavens were opened - so fearful was the deluge of rain that fell on that memorable Ss. Peter's & Paul's Day. The mountain-sides became deserted as did the great plain or "gap" where the Tug-of-War contest was enacted. In chariots belonging to

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to the Princes of Cashel, the sick men of Meath were (laid) placed & driven by order of the King to the Royal Hospital, then situated on the Cahir road about a mile from the city, where they were treated in true Tipperary fashion.

Months passed and the brave fellows were making no signs of recovery until a miserable little wizard (?) woman not 3-1/2' high visited the patients under the pretext that she was grandmother to two of them. Having been admitted into the ward, she uncorked a very small bottle which contained Magic Medicine and putting one drop into the right ear of each man, instant recovery was the result & then the little wizard doctor mysteriously disappeared.

This same little woman, known as "The Witch of The Devil's Bit"

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had applied the same herb medicine to the Meath men the night before the Tug-of-War, putting the drops into the left ears then - knowing well that victory could not be theirs after this awful ar.

This spiteful deed was done at the behest of the Princess of Offaly who was wife of the Chief Bard of Tara - a Meath man with whom she lived on unhappy terms. The Princess wished disgrace would befall Royal Meath & with woman's vengeance - she succeeded.

Needless to mention the Tug-of-War victory was given the men of Royal Cashel - though in honour to them, they sought it not in this manner.