Eascann agus Coileach

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  • Teideal (Title): Eascann agus Coileach.
  • Uimhir Chatalóige Ollscoil Washington (University of Washington Catalogue Number): none.
  • Uimhir Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann (National Folklore of Ireland Number): none.
  • Uimhir Roud (Roud Number): none.
  • Uimhir Laws (Laws Number): none.
  • Uimhir Child (Child Number): none.
  • Cnuasach (Collection): Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh.
  • Teanga na Croímhíre (Core-Item Language): Irish.
  • Catagóir (Category): story.
  • Ainm an té a thug (Name of Informant): Michael Tom Mac Con Iomaire.
  • Ainm an té a thóg (Name of Collector): Seán Ó Guairim.
  • Dáta an taifeadta (Recording Date): 2001.
  • Suíomh an taifeadta (Recording Location): Coillín, Carna, County Galway, Ireland.
  • Ocáid an taifeadta (Recording Occasion): private.
  • Daoine eile a bhí i láthair (Others present): unavailable.
  • Stádas chóipcheart an taifeadta (Recording copyright status): unavailable.

Joe and the conger eel

Joe relates how he and (presumably) his brothers were out in a currach and, upon finally gathering in their net, they discovered an enormous conger eel eight feet in length. Joe was put to the task of cutting the head off the conger ell so that the creature could be salted, dried, and used to bait lobster pots. With difficulty – and with the aid of a saw – Joe finally removes the head, which is then thrown out onto the haggard behind the house.

While the family are having dinner – with a view from the table of the haggard outside – they see a fine cockerel – a March cockerel, Joe tells us – rambling around the haggard, looking for things to eat. Unfortunately, when the bird approaches the head of the conger eel, the eel opens its mouth and downs the cockerel in one bite.

Joe swears the story is true.