Scut a mean person, term of abuse to younger person
Seasoned old
Sensible wise, ‘make me sensible’, explain to me
Seep soak, ‘seeping wet’
Sets seed potatoes
Year: 2004
Poor Law and Tramps
John Mitchel is even today frequently lambasted for claims he made that British policy towards Ireland after the Union was deliberately designed to remove the great mass of poor from their holdings, the land, the country and the face of the earth. Yet Reports from Commissions of Inquiry set up by successive British governments – and action (and inaction) taken as a result – give strong if circumstantial evidence in support of Mitchel’s words.
The Devon Commission of 1833 estimated that of the country’s population of over 8 million, some 2,385,000 were ‘in great need of food’. Its strong recommendations for urgent investment in wealth- and employment-creating schemes went unheeded and the Government went ahead with the Workhouses designed to deter the ‘work-shy’. The subsequent potato failure and Great Hunger, disease, campaign of farm-amalgamation, dispossession, eviction and enforced emigration saw a massive shift in the population profile by the end of the century. The Vice-Regal Commission on Poor Law Reform 1906 blamed famine, disease, eviction and emigration which affected the poorer classes more than most.
The latter Commission in 1906 estimated some 30,000 of a population of four and a half million to be dependent upon Poor Relief. (The numbers again dropped dramatically from 1908 onwards with the introduction of Old Age Pensions). This was less than one per cent compared with thirty per cent of a population twice the size, some seventy years previously.
Where had they all gone? We will soon upload a personal story of an ‘American Wake’. A sizable fraction of those who had not fled the country had died of disease or hunger. The suffering of the poor was hugely disproportionate as a result of deliberate Government policy.
Of the 30,000 mentioned, some 2,000 were classified as vagrant or tramps. The Commission estimated that eighty per cent of these were male. They were of two types, one being old and infirm but basically decent and generally well-known and respected within their own locality. The other type has for centuries been the greatest object of hatred for governments: the ‘young and able, lazy ne’er-do-wells, dishonest and potentially dangerous’. The Commission recommended the setting up of Labour Houses wherein they might be confined to learn ‘habits of sobriety, regularity and industry’.
The Newry Reporter and other local papers reported the activities of tramps in this area – ‘infested with a tramp plague’ was a commonly heard expression – and special courts were frequently convened to deal with the problem. For begging, two months in prison with hard labour was a regular sentence.
Yet then (and before and since!) there was a great deal of local sympathy especially for those tramps who were recognized simply as colourful characters.
We have featured a number. Later a few more.
Church at Kilnasaggart?
The Kilnasaggart Stone plaque recently referred to continues with a description of its carvings:
‘On the north-west face are ten carefully-carved crosses, nine of them within circles and, low down, a number of parallel linear marks, once interpreted as a possible ogham inscription but actually knife-sharpening score marks. Traditionally a crock of gold was buried below the pillar and it was overturned by treasure-seekers in the 1830s, but it was soon reset.
Excavations in the 1960s to the south of the pillar revealed a number of both stone-built and dug graves, probably dating from the Early Christian period. A map of 1609 shows a ruined church in this area but there are no visible remains and no trace was found during the excavation.’
Your editor considers that the early 1960s excavations of this, the Slieve Gullion tombs, Ballymacdermott Court Cairn etc. were less that complete and must at best be treated as indicative. We baulk at terms like ‘actually’ above, used in relation to a dubious theory at best. The stories of the cemetery excavation – and the overturning of the pillar in search of booty – have already been related here. The sentence beginning, ‘Traditionally a crock of gold was buried below the pillar..’ is at best unclear and at worst an unintended enticement to further vandalism. There is certainly no evidence to support the allegation. There is no indication of the possible greater antiquity of this standing stone already debated here (and on Guestbook).
Though there is no extant evidence of an early church on the site, we believe the circumstantial evidence (the location at the Gap of the North on the ancient Slighe Miodluachra (next story!); the overscored Christian symbols on a more ancient pillar; the nearness of Moninna’s convent at Killeavy and that of Bridget at Faughart; the 1609 map; the name, Kilnasaggart meaning Church of the Priest) points to that distinct possibility.
From Irish, Placenames
The many explanations of the Gaelic derivation of local place names is often a cause of exasperation. That we cannot be prescriptive is a testimony of the name’s antiquity; it also reflects on the possibilities of both languages; and it frequently tells of our diverse history and demonstrates that no matter who we are, we share a common rich heritage. Here are just two examples that we have recently referred to.
The village of Forkhill, recently featured (and about to get another article!) lies beneath Slieve Gullion’s tail. Older residents say ‘Far – cill’. Some believe it refers to an ancient clan, Orcaill. Others suggest it comes from the Gaelic for Cold Wood, and indicate that the famous and ancient Dunreavy Wood ended at the village.
I have been told its derivation is from a Gaelic word referring to a water course or ‘trough’. Personally I suspect it might derive directly from ‘Church of the Men’ as we have Church of the Priest (Kilnasaggart) and Church of Women (Kilnaman) too.
But merely contemplating these alternatives causes us to remember ancient clans and their names; to recall that until a few short centuries ago, our land was covered in forests, and to remember tales associated with Dunreavy Wood; to consider the river, lakes and unique water features of the area and how they were developed in the past; and to accept the central role of religion and particularly Christianity in the last two millennia.
And Slieve Gullion itself. The term in English refers to a body of still water in a ‘gully’ possibly and may refer to the lake on the mountain top.
It may however derive from the Gaelic for ‘holly’ with which the mountain was once covered.
It may derive from Cullain, the smith to the court of Conor McNessa and the Red Branch Knights; or to Cuchullain whose greatest exploits happened in this vicinity and whose name means Hound of Cullain.
I have also heard it suggested that the clouds and mist that frequently cover its top may have brought about a name that could possibly derive from the Gaelic ‘to cry’; and again, that verb along with the name of that other hero, Fionn (MacCool).
So, how many tales, legends and stories of folk history does that conjure up?
Let’s just celebrate our diversity and the richness of our common history!
Is the aul’ hen dead?
There was a beggar woman of old of these parts who had lost her arms in a flax-beetling mill accident. (Beetling was a process where large and heavy wooden paddles were made to batter the linen cloth to smooth and shine it). There were no compensation laws then. Tramping the countryside she would have eaten haws from the hedge as she went along, being able to pull them off with her mouth. She was heart-scared of dogs, being unable to protect herself from them.
Charitable people would take her in, feed, clothe and bathe her.
Other tramps were Red Margaret, Praying Biddy, Susie the Shoot and The Green Shawl Woman. Mary Kelly was a tiny, old woman who wore a black cape. Like Biddy Ardee they had bags and pockets to carry their little ‘charities’. Soncy Mary dealt in cures especially for animals.
Tramps at the door then might ask for money or a ‘grain of meal’. A penny was enough to satisfy them, or bread or sugar or meal. This went into their bag. People kept a little ‘yalla male’ or maize (that ‘pigeon grain’ imported cheaply from America during the Famine) for this purpose.
Daniel Murnaghan was noted for repeating The Lord’s Prayer as he tramped along. Jack the Flute did this also. He was called for the instrument he was heard to play. He was known to run a piece, then stand and look around the countryside talking to himself.
An old tramp was taken in to a big house once where he’d occasionally get a ‘piece’ and a mug of tea. He was brought to the scullery of course and when seated in the charge of the sarvant girl, the lady of the house went off about her business. There had been a ‘party’ entertained there the night before and the tramp was astonished to find a chicken leg between the boords of his ‘piece’. Suspicious at such unknown largesse, he beckoned the girl to him and asked a whispered question:
‘Tell me Biddie’, says he, ‘whatever happened to the oul’ hen?’
Panorama of Newry
This panorama provides a view over Newry from the Bernish viewpoint taken on St Stephen’s Day. The snow provides an excellent backdrop. Wait for it to load. ‘Pan’ back and forward by moving your mouse pointer across the photo. To control speed, position mouse pointer in middle.
Boxing Day Snow in ‘Point
An unnamed Dad and child skim stones on Warrenpoint Beach on Boxing Day morning 2004. A little snow still coats the tops of Slieve Martin, Angelsey and Rostrevor Mountain. Your editor’s companion and grand-daughter is included, for self-indulgence reasons only! Slideshow for Angela Rafferty, Gothenberg.
Mummers Story
The Mummers tradition, I am told, was brought here with the Planters and might still be experienced in England’s South-West counties. Rose McKeown of Sheetrim tells me they were still doing the rounds in that vicinity up to the early Sixties. She has that character too as Wee Dibbley Doubt.
They would cover an area of about five miles circumference. This group had a French Fiddle (harmonica) for accompaniment and sang the popular songs of the time. Besides the characters aforementioned she remembers King George. They would perform in the kitchen, never getting access to ‘The Room’ which was far too grand for them! The gloom of the old oil lamp added to the air of mystery!
At some houses they would get nothing and at others they might get as little as a sixpence, though half-a-crown was common. By then they were primarily interested in the money. She remembers giving a ten-shilling note. She tells of one disguised figure commenting on her new Cuckoo Clock. These were imported from Germany and hers was purchased above in ‘Cross (Carrickmacross) by her husband for seven pounds and ten shillings; a fortnight’s wages then. Naturally she was very proud of it and it ‘cuckoo-ed’ non-stop for nigh on twenty years.
Anyway when yer man commented on the clock he used her first name and an undisguised voice. She recognised him as a former ‘flame.’ Perhaps that accounted for the generosity!
But I was trying to complete the script!
CROMWELL
Here comes I, Sir Oliver Cromwell. As you may suppose
I have conquered many nations with my long and copper nose
I have caused my foes to tremble, and all my enemies to quake
Sure I bate me own companions till they were no longer fit to spake.
I shot the devil through a reel
And through an oul’ spinning wheel
Through a bag of pepper
Through a horse-shoe cocker.
Such a man was never known
And if you don’t believe the words that I say
Enter in Saint Patrick and he will clear the way.
SAINT PATRICK
Here comes I Saint Patrick in my shinin ‘ armour bright
I was once a noble champion, but now a worthy knight
I fed my sheep on oats and hay
And after that I ran away
If you don’t believe the words that I say
Enter in Beelzebub and he will clear the way.
BEELZEBUB
Here comes I Beelzebub
And over me shoulder I carry a club
And in me hand, a dripping-pan
And I count myself a jolly fine man.
And if you don’t believe the words that I say
Enter in Big-Bellied Ned and he will clear the way.
NED
Here comes I Big-Bellied Ned
If ye can’t give me money give me plenty of bread
For when I was young I was not well-fed
But now they call me Big-Bellied Ned.
If you don’t believe in the words that I say
Enter in Big Head and he will clear the way.
BIG HEAD
Here comes I that niver come yit
Big Head and little wit
The more me head’s so big, the more me body’s small
But I’ll do me best to plaze ye all
And if you don’t believe the words that I say
Here comes Wee Divil Doubt and he’ll clear the way.
DIVIL DOUBT
Here comes I, wee Divil Doubt
If ye don’t give me money I’ll sweep ye all out
(my mother has this line…The tail of me shirt is hanging out..)
Money I want and money I crave
If you don’t give me money I’ll sweep ye till your grave.
And if you don’t believe in the words that I say
Enter in Johnny Funny and he will clear the way.
We have earlier quoted Johnny Funny’s lines and the final chorus.
End…
Sligh Miodluachra
Five great roads emanated from the Hill of Tara in Meath (once again in the news as Bertie’s government controversially determines to drive a motorway through the vicinity!) to the rest of Ireland. The northern-bound road, the Slighe Miodluachra, meaning the way of the middle rushy place, was well-named certainly as it traversed the Gap of the North at the townlands of Carrickbroad (the robber’s rock) and Edenappa. This is the location of Kilnasaggart.