Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/341

 Rh remote parts of it, occasionally repeat poetical fragments, like those translated by Mr. McPherson, and ascribed by him to Ossian. The Irish harp is unknown here; but some of the ancient national airs are occasionally sung. The mountain herdsmen often sing a very wild kind of air, somewhat similar to the celebrated "Rans des Vaches," the words of which are sometimes in the form of question and response.—(P. 182.)

Devnish, county Fermanagh.

A few paces to the north of St. Molush's house (a Gothic building, 30 feet long and 18 feet wide, entirely roofed and finished with cut stone) is his bed, which is a stone trough sunk level with the surface of the ground, 6 feet in length and 15 inches wide, with a rough bottom composed of three stones, in which people lie down and repeat some prayers in hope of relief from any pains with which they may be afflicted. About one hundred paces north of St. Mary's Abbey is St. Nicholas's well, to which many resort for relief, repeat some prayers, and leave a rag suspended on a bush near it.—(Vol. ii. p. 194.)

Glenavy, Camlin, and Tullyrush, county Antrim.

There are three ancient sepulchral monuments and thirty-seven artificial mounds, commonly denominated Danes-raths. . . . . Being found to contain excellent soil, they are now applied by the farmers to the purposes of agriculture in defiance of the displeasure of the fairies, the apprehension of whom had long contributed to preserve them.—(Vol. ii. p. 241.)

When they bring their children to be baptized, a piece of bread and cheese is wrapped up in the infant's clothes. If several children are brought to the font, the male is presented first. Pancakes are eaten on Shrove Tuesday; nuts and apples on Hallow Eve; and a goose on Christmas Day. Easter Monday is devoted to festivity; St. Stephen's Day to the pleasures of the field; and on Midsummer Eve bonfires are lighted.—(Ibid. p. 249.)

Killuken, county Roscommon.

In a field on the roadside from Carrick to Croghan, on the left hand, is a long stone set up obliquely. The common people call this Cloghcom, i. e., the crooked stone, and say that it was thrown there