Cromwell

During the time that Cromwell was in Ireland he captured some young men and women near Athenry and locked them in the Castle. The people became enraged and said that they would not give the soldiers any food. There was a young man living in Newcastle who said he would set the captives free. He dressed as an old man and filled the ass cart with the best of food and drink and brought it into the soldiers. At midnight, he stole the key from the warder and set the captives free. They were recaptured and put on board a ship.

Collector: Nora Jordan, Shoodaun, Co. Galway

Informant: Thomas Jordan, Shoodaun, Co. Galway

Place: Newcastle, Co. Galway

Footnote: Duchas, ‘The Schools’ Collection’, www.duchas.ie