Hidden treasure buried in Kilkenny?
A fascinating tale from rural Kilkenny folklore
Could there be buried treasure hidden just beneath the surface somewhere in County Kilkenny? According to a tale of local folklore, that could very well be the case.
The legend goes, according to a story documented in The School's Collection of local folklore, that "away at the back of the hills from Kiltorcan on the borders of the parishes of Ballyhale and Thomastown there is said to be hidden treasure."
The tale continues: "This treasure is supposed to have been put there by Freney, a rather notorious highway robber who was supposed to often have hidden the fruits of his robberies when pursued.
"The treasure here is supposed to consist of gold and silver coins. Some attempts were made to find the treasure but none of them succeeded."
Another tale recorded in the locality also points out the legend of hidden treasure nearby:
"In a place called Sean a baile about a quarter of a mile to the south of our hamlet of Rosboultra there is said to be hidden treasure.
"Old people said the treasure was in gold and that often and often people searched for it but were always driven away from the place by a big bull. Nobody seems to know who put it there or whether it is fairy gold or not."
Have you ever heard any tales of buried treasure in your area of Kilkenny?