632 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



bank by tbe roadside ; after a time it rises, walks across the road to 

 the mound, and then vanishes. 



The ghost of Major is reported to be sometimes seen 



riding a phantom horse at a spot near Cam, and circles on the grass 

 are pointed out as marking the scene of his equestrian feats ; he is 

 also said to ride at times to Bingham Castle. 



There is a strong belief in fairies, and many people are to be 

 found who say that they have seen them. They are said to dance at 

 night and cause fairy rings ; they dwell in grassy mounds and travel 

 from place to place, using stems of the ragweed as horses. 



» The mirage which is sometimes seen off the coast is ascribed to 

 the faii'ies if it assumes the appearance of boats or ships ; they are 

 believed to have been seen to land on the shore, haul up their boats, 

 and vanish. Many stories are told respecting the impudent pranks of 

 these beings, and to their revenge for some injury, disease in 

 man and cattle is sometimes ascribed. A man may become paralysed 

 or waste away and die from fairy influence as well as from the evil 

 eye, but their malice may have a less serious ending, and may only 

 produce some disfigurement. Some time ago a man was one day 

 walking homewards, when he saw lying on- the road a bright new 

 razor ; he picked it up and took it home with him, but after shaving 

 with it got sycosis menti, and the implement was then declared to be 

 a "fairy razor." 



"Women dying in puerperal fever are believed to have been taken 

 by the fairies to act as wet-nurses, and infants may be " taken away," 

 and changelings put in their places. The changeling may be got rid 

 of by putting on a roaring fire and throwing him behind it, when he 

 at once vanishes in the smoke. The ignus fatims is believed to be 

 caused by the fairies to lead people astray. 



The attentions of these creatures are not expended on human 

 beings alone, for they may revenge themselves on those who vex 

 them by attacking domestic animals. Cattle becoming ill suddenly 

 are supposed to be " shot " by the fairies, and the owners will often 

 goto a great deal of trouble to find a person who possess a "fairy 

 stone," which is the only remedy. These stones are treasured very 

 carefully and are kept wrapped up in a piece of cloth ; they are used 

 by i-ubbing them on the afflicted animal, and repeating a charm or 

 prayer. Unfortunately no specimen of these stones was seen, so it 

 cannot be stated positively whether they are flint arrow-heads or not. 



A farm-house at a place called Illaun glass, in the Mullet, has a 

 tale connected with it, illustrating the causing of disease in cattle by 



