A Fairy Story
Date: 5th May 1938
Once upon a time there lived in Fargureens a tailor named Reilly. He had to travel round to each village to make the clothes for the people.
One night as he was coming home from Tavanaghmore he met a little horse at Sean Mhuileann. He jumped upon the horse's back and rode on him as far as Prizon school.
The next night the horse brought him to the same place again.
The third night as he drew near the horse he opened his mouth and said, "Have you the sharp things with you to night"?
When the tailor heard that he took to his heels and as he ran he kept making the sign of the cross with his scissors behind his back. While he did, the bad spirit could not touch him.
When he was crossing a gap at Colman's in Prizon the scissors touched the horse, and he fell dead. He turns into a black oak stick in the shape of a dog. There it lies still, and it is called the "Maide dubh".
“INFORMANT: Michael Kennedy, Age 48, Rush Hill, Co. Mayo”