Ghosts' Spirits Cannot Cross Running Water.—The reasons for persons believing that a ghost or a fairy will not follow them through any river or stream which is not bridged over or has no stepping stones is because when they with fear suddenly plunge into a deep hole in a river the cold water gives the nerves such a shock that it drives away all terror. If a man was hounded by an enemy and believed his life was in danger, he would quickly forget the ghosts and even hide in a graveyard if he thought that by so doing he would escape from his pursuer.
Glas-Guineach.—This cow was remarkable for giving a large quantity of milk. She belonged to the monks then residing at Kilmalckedor, was well fed and grazed upon the best patches of sweet pasture in the district. A thief attempted to steal her, but was captured in the act. To make an example of him, his finger prints and the impression of the cow's hoofs for future reference and to warn the people of the district to be aware of him were cut or set into the stones by some natural art touching finger prints then known to those monks. The stories of the Glas-Guinach are numerous and interesting. Children inclined to steal were reminded of what happened to the thief who stole the monk's cow.
Gospels.—These are received from a priest, sewn into a piece of cloth, worn on necks of some children.
Haunted Houses.—Three houses in the whole barony of Corkaguiny are all I can discover to have the reputation of being haunted now. Thieves, robbers and persons of fraudulent and dishonest intentions manufactured ghosts and imposed them on their innocent neighbors as haunting certain places, while in other cases where an unnatural death took place, such as murder, suicide or the like, a fear would seize the person finding the corpse or one hearing about it. Children seeing white boys assembled by night in open places and not knowing who they were prolonged the belief in the ghosts and fairies.
Headless Coach Stories.—These are wicked lies which were told on winter nights at the firesides by old people and imposed upon children as real truth. To make it more serious, the storyteller would put on a long, solemn face and speak in whispers. He would start and describe in detail the make, appearance and movements of the headless coach, thereby terrorizing the very lives in us children, so much so that we would not willingly come home after dark unless accompanied by another. There never was such a thing as a headless coach in our parts, and some old people there are guilty of a very serious crime in poisoning and destroying the minds of young children with such horrid tales.
Hold Out the Hand and Split the Difference.—In selling or buying horses, cattle, sheep and hogs at fairs and markets a peculiar custom prevails. When the buyer and seller are within a few shillings of a bargain a friendly neighbor asks them to "split the difference" and places their hands together. Another habit is for a buyer, when making an offer which he expects will be accepted by the seller, to ask the seller to open his hand. This being done, he slaps the open hand in token of an agreement as he makes what he pretends to be his last bid.
Holy Water Bottles in Canoes.—There is a custom among fishermen to the west of Dingle of carrying very small bottles containing holy water tightly corked and fastened by a strong string to their canoes when going to sea.
Holy Wells (See "His. Co. Kerry"—Corkaguiny).—Pilgrims to holy wells leave rags, copper coins and other quite valueless tokens behind them in paying rounds, at Brandon Mountain shrine and other like places.
Horn Dance.—This peculiar dance was introduced into these parts by persons of foreign descent in gentlemen's houses, and it disappeared with them. In dancing, they wore horns and had bells on their feet.
Horseshoe Nailed Over the Door.—This class of superstition I find more common in the United States of America than elsewhere. Of course, it is brought by Europeans into the country, chiefly by Jews.