SCHOOL: Naas (Mercy Convent) | ADDRESS: Naas, Co. Kildare
Moll Anthony was a witch doctor who lived in Allen about 30 years ago. She used various herbs to effect cures, but its said that she was also in communication with the devil. She often cast charms and spells over those whom she considered her enemies, or over those who injured her in any way either by word or deed.
Once a new Parish priest came to Allen and soon after his arrival he denounced Moll. from the pulpit, on a certain Sunday during Mass.
When he returned to his home he found his beautiful horse on the point of death. Needless to say he was startled, as the horse had been in the best of health less than an hour before.
The neighbours of course gathered round, and were able to explain the strange occurances, knowing that the priest was abusing Moll, they advised him to go to her and make friends with her.
He tried every available cure, he sent for a vet. surgeon, but he could not diognoise the disease. One thing was certain, however, that the horse was dying.
At length the parishioners succeeded in getting him to go to Moll. She received him rather coldly at first, but in the end she said. “Your horse is cured, Go Home, and in future let me alone, and I will leave you in peace.”
The priest returned to his home to find his valuable animal galloping back-wards and forward through the field quite normal and fully restored to health.
Bibliography
“The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0776, Page 406” by Dúchas © National Folklore Collection, UCD is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.