Browne— 2%e Ethnograplnj of Ganimna and Lettermullen. 263 



and when making poteen some leave a little of the "first shot" out 

 in a jug for them. Fairies are believed to pass from one place to 

 another in the day time in whirlwinds. Fairy or phantom boats are 

 also said to be seen from time to time, and a fairy piper is said to be 

 heard at times playing in one of the large granite boulders. 



The belief in the evil eye prevails in tlie district, and one woman 

 is dreaded as having this malign power. It is said that the "bad 

 eye" is acquired by a person through the priest having forgotten some 

 minor part in the rite of baptism. The effect of the evil eye cannot 

 be intentionally produced, but only comes by chance. A story is told 

 of an old woman who met a girl and said she wondered that she could 

 carry such a heavy basket. The girl, when slie got home, was seized 

 with severe pains and died soon after, and her death was ascribed to the 

 effect of " the bad eye." The first time an infant is taken out, people 

 spit upon it to protect it from this evil influence and from the fairies. 



The customs observed at deaths, funerals, and wakes have been 

 mentioned in another section. 



On St. Bridget's Eve and iN'ovember Eve a peculiar shaped cross of 

 wood, in the form of the suastica, is sometimes nailed on a rafter to 

 keep off fairies and avert other evils. 



Bonfires are lighted in Garumna, as in most other places, on June 24. 

 On St. John's Eve ilealtinne) in Lettermullen, as Mr. Healy informs 

 me, they often only put up a flag on an oar, or something of that sort, 

 as fuel is so scarce. The people circle round the fire three times, and 

 carry away coals from the fire to throw into the potato fields to produce 

 a bountiful yield. The hunting of the wren on St. Stephen's Day 

 (26th December) is a custom but little observed here. 



2. Charms and Leechcraft. 



(«) Charms. — Reliance is placed in charms for the relief of 

 various troubles, physical and otherwise. These charms are dispensed 

 by wise women, and one, who lives in the northern part of Connemara, 

 is visited even by the people of these islands that they may consult 

 her about the suitable site for a house or for disease, &c. Should 

 a liouse be infested with rats, a written charm can be obtained, 

 which is laid near the rat-hole, and it is thought that the oldest rat 

 will take it in liis mouth and leave the house, and that the rest will 

 follow him. 



Charms are also used for the rose (erysipelas), for toothache, and 

 for worms in children.. 



(jb) Leechcraft. — The methods in vogue for the treatment of disease 

 vary from charms to herbal simples. 



