Daniel O’Connell and the Tobacco
When a naïve farmer is swindled out of the true price of his cattle by a devious shopkeeper, he seeks the advice and assistance of Daniel O’Connell. Always a champion of the people, O’Connell uses his knowledge of the law to deliver the shopkeeper his comeuppance. The farmer is duly recompensed and is delighted, although it cost him the tips of his ears!
Bhí feirmeoir ann tráth a bhí saonta go maith. D’éirigh le siopadóir glic bob a bhualadh air. Siúd leis an bhfeirmeoir chun comhairle agus cabhair a iarraidh ar Dhónall Ó Conaill. Bhíodh Ó Conaill i gcónaí ar son an ghnáthdhuine agus nuair a chuala sé faoin éagóir a deineadh ar an bhfeirmeoir d’úsáid sé an saineolas a bhí aige ar chúrsaí dlí ionas go ngeobhadh an siopadóir mar a bhí tuillte aige. Sea, tugadh a chuid airgid thar n-ais don bhfeirmeoir agus is sásta a bhí sé cé gur chosain sé barra a dhá chluais air!
This story is told by Eddie Lenihan (Brosna, County Kerry). Eddie is one of few remaining traditional storytellers ‘Seanchaí’, in the truest sense of the word, practising in Ireland. He is an authority on the folklore of Ireland and has amassed a huge collection of recordings of first hand accounts and stories over the years. He is known for his tales of Irish fairies, fallen angels, folk heroes, and other supernatural beings as recorded in Irish mythology, folklore and oral history.
In his book ‘Meeting the Other Crowd’, Eddie affords us a view beyond the veil to a hidden Ireland, a land of mysterious taboos, dangers, other worldly abductions, enchantments and much more. It is a world which most Irish people acknowledge exists, but which few of them, except the very oldest or professional folklorists, know much more about. Eddie Lenihan opens our eyes to this invisible world with the passion and bluntness of a great storyteller. In doing so he provides one of the finest collections of Irish folklore in modern times.
Books & recordings of Eddie can be purchased from his website
Daniel O'Connell frequently used tobacco as a symbol of the economic benefits of the Repeal of the Union. During a famous "Monster Meeting" in Mullingar in 1843, O'Connell argued that an independent Irish parliament would drastically reduce excise duties. He claimed that tobacco duties would be so low that "there was not an old woman in the country who might not have her pipe lighted from morning to night if she pleased".