GHOST OF BLACK DOG

GHOST OF A BLACK DOG

This information was collected and hand written by local schoolteacher Mr. Galvin for "The Schools Folklore Collection 1938." Mr.Moroney, a Protestant, lived within a quarter of a mile from Clogher School. The following is a "ghost" story he told:

He one time had a dog - a beautiful black spaniel. To the spaniel he was very much attached and apparently the dog was very attached to him. Now one day it happened that Mr.Moroney had business to attend to in Castlebar and the bicycle is always Mr.Moroneys transport .He set out early in the morning and having done his business he returned home about mid-day and a fine clear day it was. On returning near his own house he saw the dog rushing down the avenue to meet him in his usual high spirits.

"He is a faithful little beast" said Mr.Moroney to himself -"I must be very kind to him! " When about half way however, the dog turned into the bushes by the way. Mr.Moroney called him, but he did not come. "Rabbit." thought Mr.Moroney.

When Mr.Moroney had put his bicycle aside and things, he said to his wife "I saw the little dog running down to meet me, but he turned into the bushes, I called him and he didn't come. So I must go to see what is keeping him."

His wife laid down her knitting, and placing a hand on either shoulder of her husband said, looking up into his eyes her own being very moist- "Exam, you must be brave" and then after a pause -( a dramatic one I'm sure) - "The Dog is dead". Mr.Moroney was about to try a joke but the anguish in his wife's eyes withheld him. "Let us go for a walk out" sais he softly.

"Let us go to the stable "said his wife.

When they entered the stable Mr. Moroney saw his dog lying cold-stone dead. He had died shortly after his wife had left for Castlebar in the morning. Poison!

This information was collected and hand written by local schoolteacher Mr. Galvin for "The Schools Folklore Collection 1938."

For more on the folklore of the Clogher area see:

http://www.clogherheritage.com/folklore.html