Padhraic Mac Giolla Chealla
Encyclopedia
Padhraic Mac Giolla Chealla, Irish
poet
and storyteller
, fl. 1798.
Mac Giolla Chealla was a local poet who made a well-known prediction, of many years standing, "that the French were to come into Killala
on the day of the Fair of Turloughmore."
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and storyteller
Storytelling
Storytelling is the conveying of events in words, images and sounds, often by improvisation or embellishment. Stories or narratives have been shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation and in order to instill moral values...
, fl. 1798.
Mac Giolla Chealla was a local poet who made a well-known prediction, of many years standing, "that the French were to come into Killala
Killala
Killala is a village in County Mayo in Ireland, north of Ballina. The railway line from Dublin to Ballina once extended to Killala. To the west of Killala is a Townsplots West , which contains numerous ancient forts.- History :...
on the day of the Fair of Turloughmore."
By go, the day came in the end, the day it was said they wuld come and it was moving well into the day and there was no talk or mention of the French coming, no more than any other day. Padhraic was at the Fair, walking about for himself and a number of men met him whom he had told that they would surely come that day. 'Patrick, you stupid fellow', says one of them 'we have been listening to you for so long that they French were to come today and there is no sign of them yet.' 'Well don't brag yet', says Padhraic, 'the books haven't been closed yet.' It was true for him. Before it was midday the news was out that the French were inside in Killala.