TOM HIGGINS, AGE 77, CLONASLEE

In this recording Tom Higgins began with the history of the town, the evictions which took place “up the mountain side” in the 19th century, and orders given by the Dunnes to the bailiffs to use the battering-ram. He gave an account of the Penal Laws, and the turbulent lives of the Catholic priests in the area. Also in this recording are mentioned the old cures, the traditional arranged marriages; “Marry a mountain woman and you marry the mountain.” There were also stories about the supernatural. Many other subjects were touched upon, including the Famine Relief Scheme and the barter system.