Tosach Bord agus Binse an Ghiúistís
Collected from Máire Ní Leighin, Baile Uí Dhuibhne, Co. Chiarraí, 1936. Preserved through the National Folklore Collection, UCD.
During and after the Famine, with the great evictions of Gaelic tenant farmers from their lands, many had no option but to flee to Canada. However, before the Famine, especially from 1820-1845, there were many others who emigrated out of choice in the hope for a better life (which was impossible for them in Ireland). This story seems to date from this earlier period, with a poor man being able to become a Justice of the Peace in Canada.
1851. Emigrants Arrival At Cork - A Scene From The Quay. Illustrated London News: London. May 10.
“Bhí tiarna talún ann fadó, agus bhí buachaill aimsire aige darb ainm Seán Ó Baoill. Phós iníon leis an tiarna uair ach má phós níor thug aon chuireadh ar an mbainis do Sheán.
Tar éis tamaill eile phós iníon eile leis, agus tugadh cuireadh do bhean Sheáin an uair seo. Ach má tugadh, ní thiocfadh sí sin nuair nár tugadh cuireadh do Sheán. ‘S é an freagra a thug sí ar theachtaire an tiarna ná:
“Nár gheobhadsa bás choíche go mbeidh tosach bord ’s binnse ag Seán ó Baoill.”
Tar éis tamaill rinne Seán agus a bhean a n-aigne suas go raghaidís go Ceanada. Cuir siad chucu lón mór i gcóir an bhóthair, agus nuair a bhí siad a dhéanamh ar Chorcaigh do shuígh siad síos ar chliathán an bóthair ag ithe blúire bia dóibh féin. Tháinig préachán os a gcionn anáirde agus scaoil sé a shalachar anuas ar hata Sheáin. Tháinig fear ar an bhfód agus d’fhiafraigh sé dhe an ndíolfadh sé a seans. Dúirt Seán nach díolfadh. Nuair a chuaigh siad ar bord an árthaigh tháinig préachán eile os cionn Sheáin agus scaoil sé anuas sparán mór airgid chuige.
Nuair a chuaigh siad i dtír i gCeanada, shocraigh siad síos chun seirbhís. D’éirigh le Seán bheith ‘na Ghiúistís, agus ansin bhí tosach bord ’s binnse aige.”
“There was a landlord long ago, and he had a hired boy servant by the name of Seán Ó Baoill. A daughter of the lord married once but if they married no invitation was given to the wedding to Seán.
After another while another daughter married, and an invitation was given to Seán’s wife this time. But if it was given, she would not come then when an invitation was not given to Seán. It’s the response she gave the messenger of the lord that:
“I will not die henceforth until the head of the table and bench is had by Seán Ó Baoill.”
After a while Seán and his wife made up their mind that they would go to Canada. They prepared great provisions for the road, and when they were making for Cork, they sat down on the side of the road eating a little food for themselves. A crow came overhead on high and it let loose its excrement from above on Seán’s hat. A man came up to them and he asked of him would he sell their luck. Seán said that he wouldn’t sell. When they went aboard the vessel another crow came overhead of Seán and he let loose from above a big purse of money towards him.
When they went ashore in Canada, they settled down as servants. Seán succeeded in being a Justice, and then he had the head of the table and the bench.”
Adapted from: “The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0429, Page 116-117” by Dúchas © National Folklore Collection, UCD is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
