Pupils retell memories of their ancestors

STORIES collected by their grandparents were told by schoolchildren at a Culture Night event in Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh.

The recollections formed part of a 1930s folklore collection, Bailiúchán na Scol/The Schools Collection.

Local historian Paudie Kelleher has gathered all the folklore collected from the two schools which were then in the Gaeltacht village, the Boys and Girls Schools.

The stories and the associated research were included in his Masters thesis.

According to Seán Ó Suilleabháin from Cumann Staire Bhéal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh, the folklore collected will be included in a new book which the historical society intend to publish before Christmas.

“There will be some great stories in the book and it will be a real trip down memory lane for the local community,” he said.

The stories were related at Friday night’s event at Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh GAA’s club facility by pupils at the now amalgamated national school, Scoil Naomh Fhionnbarra, pupils who were descendants of the original collectors in the 1930s.

How ‘Casadh na Spride/ The Ghost’s Turn’ got its name was one of the stories told the audience.