Guylith Bizi and Billy O'Flynn - Stories and Superstitions from Limerick City

This collection of folklore was recorded and produced by Michael Fortune and Aileen Lambert, facilitated by The GAFF and supported by The Arts Council, Limerick Arts Office, St. Mary's National School and Thomond Primary School.

List of Contents:
00:00 – Mick asks them about superstitions: magpies, umbrellas, four-leaf clovers, stepping on cracks.
00:34 – Mick asks about the magpies.
00:51 – Mick asks about haunted houses. They talk about a haunted house in Ballynanty.
01:49 – Billy talks about his sister’s room light that turns on and off. He gives a good explanation involving the pipe and a toilet that flushed by itself.
02:08 – They talk about stepping on a crack and say the Banshee lives in the cracks. They also talk about breaking a mirror.
02:38 – Guylith talks about the Headless Horseman. This is the exact same story recorded in 2005 — they’ve been watching YouTube and are repeating it word-for-word.
03:39 – Mick asks Billy about the Headless Horseman. He talks about hearing the story in “Dallies Field.”
04:31 – Mick asks about the Banshee’s comb. Great accounts of the Banshee — classic stories well recalled.
05:26 – Billy talks about a bird coming into the house being a sign of death — his mother told him.
05:31 – Mick asks about the "knife to the floor" folklore — they knew it.
06:04 – Both boys tell Mick what it means when your hand, ear, or nose is itchy. Billy tells a story of his mother giving him money. They then chat about finding money — lovely and natural exchange.
07:03 – Billy talks about his granny blessing him before a match, while Guylith talks about his father putting an African medal in his shin guard for luck.
08:40 – Mick asks if they believe in the superstitions. Both answer. Billy talks about the magpie.
09:03 – Billy explains what it means when you see one or two magpies.
09:37 – Mick asks Guylith if he believes in the stories. Guylith talks about guardian angels and his father's religion. Lovely content about numbers, colours, and the African bracelets he wears.
10:50 – Billy talks about how he is named after both his grandfathers.
11:07 – Mick asks what they do at Hallowe’en. Billy shares that his mother lights candles and the fire on Hallowe’en and All Souls’ Night — good accounts.
12:05 – Guylith talks about getting money in a New Year’s card.
12:43 – Billy talks about Drunken Thady and the Bishop’s Lady — he says he got sleep paralysis after touching the Bishop’s Lady’s scratch marks. They discuss sleep paralysis, which is now a popular topic among kids via social media and telly.
15:01 – Mick asks about ghosts. They talk about “someone being with them” — very articulate in their descriptions.
16:24 – Mick asks about blessing bikes. Billy tells a story of his aunt throwing holy water on his bike.
17:00 – Mick asks about “matching numbers” or angel numbers on phones. They talk about making a wish when they see them.
17:39 – They talk about warts, and Guylith shares his story.
18:20 – They talk about the Green Lady, with some confusion between her and the Banshee.