Browne — Ethnography of Bally croy, Co. Mayo. 103 



or horses. The better-to-do among the people possess saddle-horses, 

 and, as distances are long, and houses far apart, live a good deal on 

 horseback. As in the other part of Erris, it is common for two to 

 ride on one horse, the man in the saddle, and a woman en croupe. 

 For short distances and domestic purposes panniers, carried on the back, 

 are used, chiefly by the women. 



For transport by sea a good many boats (about seventy) are kept 

 along the coast (mostly row-boats). As before mentioned, the people 

 do not fish as a means of livelihood, so the boats are not employed 

 except for transport. A good deal of turf for fuel is sent by boat from 

 Ballycroy to the lower extremity of the peninsula of the Mullet. 



In the early part of this century, when Mr. Maxwell wrote, there 

 was " no road on which a wheel could turn " in the district, and, as a 

 consequence, no wheeled vehicles. The main road was constructed 

 about 1841, and others since. I^eed has long been felt for a direct 

 road to BelmuUet, and one is now being constructed by the Govern- 

 ment which will certainly prove of great benefit to the people. The 

 smaller roads are very indifferent, and mostly used only for foot- 

 traffic, and ponies carrying panniers. 



v.— FolkLoee. 



Though Ballycroy is reputedly very rich in its traditional lore, 

 but little information could be obtained on the subject, as the people 

 are very reticent with strangers about such matters. The follow- 

 ing notes, however, were obtained : — Many ancient songs and 

 traditional tales in Irish are still preserved among the older people, 

 and repeated around the firesides in the long winter evenings ; 

 but the old beliefs seem to be losing their hold on many of the younger 

 portion of the population. The principal legends of the region have 

 been recorded by Mr. Maxwell in a somewhat popularised form. 



For the following notes I am chiefly indebted to the kindness of 

 Messrs. James, John, and Eobert Cleary, of Ballycroy, and Mr. John 

 M'Manamon. Some other informants have requested that their names 

 should not be mentioned. 



1 . Customs and Beliefs. — As remarked in the other localities re- 

 ported on, the number of actions or events considered of lucky or 

 unlucky import is very large. It is unlucky to meet a red-headed 

 woman on starting out in the morning on any business, especially if 

 fishing or shooting be the object in view. Some object to meeting 

 any woman as the first individual encountered on the road in the 



