LOCAL FOLKLORE RECALLS,
A man went from Tulla to the market, with his two prize pigs in the cart behind him, but the man failed to sell them at the market.
Disheartened and with empty pockets, he packed his pigs back into the cart and made his way home. Along the way he stopped at a Shibeen in Blacksticks for a quick drink - One pint turned to many!!
On the journey home, swaying with the motion he toppled back into the cart.
The pigs had had a long day at the market. They were hungry, so they ate the farmer, leaving only his boots lying on the floor of the cart.
As horse and cart clattered into the courtyard waking the man’s wife. Seeing the cart with no rider, she was afraid that her husband lay somewhere in a ditch. She called for the neighbours.
Gearing up they got ready to set out to look for the husband, someone looked into the cart and saw the boots…
One man ran for the priest, another for the guard. While the women consoled the poor mans wife, the men tried to decide what to do. The priest arrived and said that, as the man needed to be buried, and as he was inside the pigs, they should kill the pigs and bury them. That way at least all of the man would be in the same place.
They knew that the guard would not agree and would investigate. Quickly slaughtering the pigs they set to work making a coffin to fit the man and the pigs, and buried them.
The guard arrived as they were patting down the earth and demanded that they exhume the grave so that an investigation could be done. The priest refused to allow it.
And so the man was buried, in the stomachs of his pigs, and his gravestone carving commemorates his unusual situation.
To find the grave start with your back at the 3rd window of the ruin, walk 24 paces straight out (SOUTH) to find the grave stone with the 3 pig carving and ENJOY THE VIEWS
Also nearby, "with no hide to log" is St Mochullas Well, established 1400 years ago in 620.... The well, is located down the lane to the right of the old Boy's School ( see sign to “Tobar Mhoculla”) to the right the Hill of Tulla (Tulla Graveyard). There are cut-stone steps that lead down to the spring of fresh water. A modern celtic cross is located at the top of the well. There is a stone in front of the well that is said to bear the marks of St. Mochulla's knee. The well is marked down the lane by a large pine tree, now deceased. Standing at the celtic cross a sublime view to the Slieve Bearnagh mountains, makes for a peaceful spot of contemplation. The well water is supposed to have a curative power for sore eyes. Not recommended!!! Visits to the well usually take place on 23 March and 23 June. Rosary beads are often left nearby. This well was cleaned of graffiti and is kept clean by Tulla Tidy Towns volunteers……..please keep Tulla tidy!!