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Index of All Children's Stories
Kids' Ireland Library
Kate's Ancient Gift
by Graine Rowland
 "How will I ever get home?" Kate pushed her bike slowly along the road. Racing downhill, she had crashed her bike into a stone wall. The frame was bent. Kate was scratched. She had a bump on her head.
Now night and cold were wrapping themselves around Kate like a blanket. Raindrops were plunking against the ground. Kate knew she was miles away from her home in Co. Meath, Ireland. I'm too tired and sore to go any farther, Kate thought. I'll have to spend the night here. I hope nothing happens to me.
 But where is "here"? Kate looked around and saw a large mound. There was a grassy ditch which seemed to circle the mound.
In the last dim light of May, Kate pushed the bent bike into the ditch. She hoped the mound would keep some of the cold wind and rain off. She curled up and was soon asleep.
When Kate woke up, she noticed a difference. The air was warm. The ground was dry. The wind had stopped blowing. A full moon was shining.
Kate heard the airy sound of a harp. Her heart pounded to the thundery call of a drum. The sounds seemed to come from above her. Kate climbed to the top of the mound.
 Who were these people? What were those buildings? Kate followed the crowd into the largest building. She wondered at the robes which reached to the people's knees. She admired the golden coils around their necks. Kate smelled the greasy oil in the lamps. The music was louder now in Kate's ears.
Kate sat at one of the tables with some of the people. She was surprised when they knew her name. She knew none of them. She was given the best of the venison, vegetables, and fruits. One stranger cut large chunks of bread for her. As she ate, Kate listened to the bard. The stories of brave King Cormac Mac Airt caused Kate's heart to beat faster. She loved stories of Ireland's ancient heroes!
Kate felt a hand on her arm.
"Go on, Kate. King Cormac is calling you."
"What?" Kate stammered. "King Cormac?" She looked to the front of the room. A tall man held out his hand to her. She shyly walked to him.
 "You were welcome to my feast, Kate. I am King Cormac Mac Airt. But you are from another time and must return there now. Take this gift with you."
"Thank you," Kate answered, smiling at the man. "Are you really..." The room and people shimmered and were gone.
Kate looked around and blinked. She stood on top of the mound. The sun was just peeping over the horizon. It was cold and windy. The ground was damp from the night's rain. Kate saw her parents' car moving slowly along the road. She ran to meet them.
"Are you alright?" Kate's mother hugged her. "What's this?"
 Kate put her hand to her neck. She felt something thin. She took it off and looked at a golden coil.
Kate's father stared at it.
"That is a torc! Where did you get this? Only rich and important people wore torcs in the ancient days."
In a voice quiet with wonder, Kate told her parents what had happened.She told of King Cormac and his gift.
 "You spent the night on the Hill of Tara." Kate's father said. "That was the home of all Ireland's ancient kings. Their spirits are still there. You must have met some of them. Stranger things have happened."
"Come on, Kate. Let's go home and take care of that bump on your head."
Kate's parents took the bent bike to the car. Kate took one more look at the Hill of Tara. Then she slowly followed her parents. She held the golden torc tightly in her hand.
Images: Banquet
King Cormac
Torc
Hill of Tara
Kids Reading - from All Posters
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 Dogs of Ireland - the Kerry Blue Terrier
Kerry Blue Terriers were developed over 300 years ago by Irish shepherds. Their name comes from the county of Kerry in south-western Ireland.
Gentle, lovable and intelligent they are very hard working. They can herd sheep and cattle, hunt for rats and other vermin and they are good retrievers.
When they are born, they are black. As they get older, their curly coats change to red, brown or gray and then finally to bluish-grey.
Outgoing and friendly towards their family, they are known to give big, slurpy kisses. But they are also very protective and make good guard dogs as well as excellent family pets.
Resource: Puppy Dog Web.
Click for More Culture Corner.
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"No man ever wore a cravat as nice, as his own child's arm around his neck."
- Irish Proverb
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As a total beginner in Irish, this has taught me quite a few words. The illustrations are beautifully done, and best of all, each word is given a rough English spelling of its pronunciation. Edited from an amazon review.
Click here for Kid's Irish Dictionary.
A lovely collection of well known Irish songs from the turn of the twentieth century. This album was created as a gift to MaryLee's Nana, Rose Burke Duval. The first half are songs well known to grandparents and the second half are original and traditional songs for children.
Click here for Irish Songs.
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