The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-24
MYTHS OF OLD IRELAND
An Interesting Session Of Balti-
mOre's Folklore Society.
Celtic Historical Organization
Tells Interesting Tales and Reu-
dcrs Weird Music-POpuIar MeIO-
dies and ancient BaIIndS-superstI-
lions ENpIoded-AH Sorts of Fairies

BALTIMORE, Nd, Feb 24.-Irish folk
lore and its myths. Irish folk songs. and
incic ntally some Irish wit constituted the
menu Of the mental feast enjoyed by The
members of the Baltimore Folklore Society
at its monthly meeting in the Don lvan
. Room Of Mccoy Hall last night
II was prepared and served mp by the
Irish Historical Society, the president, Mr..
Charles p. Monaghan. making an address
on Some Myths Of Irish Folklore" and
the Celtic Quartet. Of the same society.
singing popular Irish melodies and old
time folk songs. a unique feature Of Pres
ident Nonaghsn's address was the assist
ance rendered him by Mr.. p. J. Finnessy
on his violin. giving the dirges. supposed
song Of the hanshee and other weird
sounds Of folklore
The topic OF the evening sailors and
Soldiers Superstitions. was dispensed
with to give time for Mr. Monaghan TO read
a story Of the "Puca." by special request
Or. Henry Wood. the president, being alb
sent DR.. II. Vi. Hurd presided. with Miss
Anna Weston Whitney as secretary
Mr. Monaghan began by saying that Irish
folklore was the first current in Maryland
after that OF the Indians, as many Of Lord
Baltimore followers were Of the Irish
peasantry. Every act OF the day TO an
Irish peasant has its folklore. said the
speaker, and the vivid imagination OF the
Irish character made his folklore not only
Unlike all other, but peculiarly interesting
and occasionally grand and solemn. Care
less and genial and witty as the Irish wc-e
always considered, IL was noticeable that
the nations folklore should be so lacking
in conscious humor.
"All races. said Mr.. Monaghan. have
their periods Of intense superstition. and
mach OF the Irish folklore has survived
because OF the sentiment and reverence "a
the Irish character that hesitates TO dis
believe those things in which their ancea-
tors had set so much store"
Among the myths spoken Of by Mr. Mon
Afghan were the puca, the banshee the
fairies. the cadine, and the Leprachaun
The puca was a very maleyOlent. mischiev-
Gus spirit. usually appearing as a horse
but frequently as a dog. gander. whale. or
eagle. Il was the first thing an Irish boy
was told 10 beware or lie had many OF
the attributes OF the BOWMAN. Mr. Mon
Afghan read a story of boy who was per-
suaded to mount the puca who WAS posing
and left sitting on the horn. The nan IN
the moon objected and the puca as a
gander, rescued the boy. bur dropped MN
IN the sea. finally appearing as a whale
and taking him 10 land much frightened
wet. and miserable. 10 was such tricks
thai the puca delighted playing. .Ie
was finally tanned somewhu by a King OF
Ireland who. by a trick secured three
hairs from his tail
q trio
the King 10 mount him. their conversation
resembling that OF Uncle Remus' FOX and
rabbit. but the King outwitted him. and IN
trying 10 tell his age by looking In his
mouth slipped the hairs about his Jaw. the
hairs becoming al once strong steel bands.
Then the King mounted and rode him in
a circle all night. plying whip and spur.
The banshee. from ban, a woman. and
"shee, fairy was a spirit Of sorrow and
gloom. Every old Irish family. whether
rich OF poor. has its own particular ban
shee. that is heard to sing whenever
member OF the family is shortly 10 die
The baushee may feel kindly toward its
family In which case Its song Is low. sweet
and plaiutive- or "a may nereely hate its
family. in which 10 screams and shrieks its
warning OF death. Mr. Monaghan told a
number Of weird stories Of the banshee.
The Irish fairies are much like those OF
springs brooks or trees. The males wear
green coats and red knee pants cad fox
glove hats The maiden fairies dress in
white. II is believed in Ireland tha' when
Luclfer or Satan rebelled in Heaven there
were some conservative angels who would
not take sides until they saw which would
conquer These neutral angels We're not
cast into the pit With the rebels but were
punished by being sent 10 earth as fairies
The Irish peasant is very careful OF tho
fairies and their feelings. No woman for
example Will throw water out Of her door
at night without first saying. Take care.
the water comes" FOR fear the fairies
garments might be spoiled.
Leprachaun is the fairies shoemaker.
and as they dance a great deal and wear
out shoes he has made an immense for
tune He is a little fellow. very nimbIe.
hard to catch and hard to hold He can
find buried treasure and rhas q purse IN
which as fast as one shilling disappears.
another appears. peasant once caught
Leprachaun and made him tell where his
treasure was. He drove his cane into the
ground TO mark the spot and put his hat
on il. The next morning he found hun
dreds Of similar canes with hats on them
all over the country and failed 10 locate
his treasure. The cadine is the Irish dirge
or death song