Collectanea. 2 1 7
kept in themselves. The ouldist people in the parish couldn't tell anything about um. They never left the house, and the ouldist ov um was called Breedogue, although no one knew what their names wus. One day there wus great Shanocus [party] mongst the people ; for the night before there was three men, on three grand horses, seen making for the house. All the night there was great singing and music, but when the mornin' came, there was a big lough where the house was, and I often heard the ould people say that 'twas seen, but there v/as never any trace of Breedogue, or her sisters, or the horsemen after. But there was often great nise heard arount the spot. So that's the rasen 'twas called Balaha or Bid of the lough. She was supposed to be a witch. The Lord save us ! — Told by Mrs. Conway, 86 years old, between Kilkee and Doonbeg.
The Tailor.
There was a namesake of mine lived about here years ago. He was a tailor. Bawneens and flannel waistcoats was the chief thing worn then. He was very poor, but very good, and many a poor man and woman he used to lodge in his house, and indeed there was not much tay drank at that time. One night a poor man called and got a night's lodging. Begor, next day the poor ould man wasn't able to travel and the tailor tould him to remain till he'd get better, but instead 'twas worse he got and died in a few days.
The neighbours gother a collection, and between um they burried the poor man. His oul chloes [clothes] were thrown out in the haggard, but one day the tailor was makin' a coat, and he sent the son out for the oul man['s] coat, to get a piece of it for sacking the collar of the one he was makin'. 'Twas all pieces and patches, but I tell you 'twas worth money, for the very minit he put the scissors to it, out drops a goold guiney. Twas no mown [no knowen', no knowing] what money wis in the coat.
He went away to America, himself and his family, and took a big house, and had a lot of men workin' for him. I am sure 'twas that that gave him the name of Golden. I am some very
