When Turkeys chewed Tobacco

Memories from south-west Ulster

Chapter 7 - Cures, Charms, and Fairies

The Devil and the candle

People used to say you would see the devil if you were carrying a pack of cards in your pocket. They always turned the end card and that was supposed to block the spell. About the biggest crime that you could do was to be a gambler. Gambling at that time was a game of twenty-five. I remember old Terry McCorry telling a story about fellows that were so hooked on cards that they would maybe be put out of everywhere for playing cards. They went into this wee stable and they had a butt of a candle and they said they would play as long as the candle would last. When the candle burned out they went out and it was long bright daylight and the people were long gone to Mass, it was Sunday morning. The people might say this was the work of the Devil !

Also in Chapter Seven:

Christians and cattle

Fairies

May morning and taking the butter

Castle money

Throwing the besom

Who will you marry?

 

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