_Black Famine._--This was called to the famine years of 1845, 1846 and 1847. During these years for the want of food people died by thousands from hunger. From November, 1846, until the end of the spring of 1847, people were falling dead like Autumn leaves in a storm, by the roadside, in their cabins, and in the fields. For burial their corpses were conveyed to the graveyard in sheets and buried without coffins. Dogs in search of food tore into the tombs and preyed upon the emaciated corpses of the famine victims. This famine was caused by a failure of the potato crop, on which the common people lived for sustenance. The blackest feature of this famine was that the Irish branch of the Church of England availed of it to seduce the starving people into Protestantism with soup and bibles, and that these years there was enough corn shipped out of Ireland to maintain the class ascendency in luxury, that would feed as many as died through hunger. (See P. 212-232, Hist. Co. Kerry.) _Blood Money._--This is money paid by the government to spies, informers and crown witnesses, to induce them to swear against persons charged with murder, or serious crime. It was much used during the Irish agitation. By the Crimes (Coercion) Act of 1882, it was proposed to levy a "Blood Tax" for murder on the innocent rate-payers. At present, compensation to police injured in certain cases in the execution of their duties and malicious injury to property is charged against the rate-payers. _Boycotting._--This word was derived from Captain Boycott, a land agent who was boycotted. Today it is to be found in every dictionary in the English language. Its use and effect in our district is fully set forth by me in my "His. Co. Kerry"--Corkaguiny, and also under The Reading of Chronology. _Brehons._--Were the names given to ancient Irish judges, who administered the Irish ancient laws with strict justice and impartiality. In 1365 or thereabouts, the English by the Statute of Kilkenny, forbade the English subjects to obey it. However, for its justice it was respected and obeyed until after Cromwell's wars in Ireland. _Brigid's (Saint) Day._--This falls on the 1st of February of each year, and formerly was observed as a holy day in honor of the death of St. Brigid, she being the founder of the famous nunnery of Kildare and the patroness of Ireland. In those parts a pretty ancient custom of carrying a _Brideoge_ on St. Brigid's Day, and receiving gifts in her name, still survives, although in a dying form. In country homes eggs were usually given to those accompanying or carrying Brideoge. However, if any of those receiving these gifts were seen drinking intoxicating liquors with the proceeds of St. Brigid's Day, it would be made sufficiently clear to some member of the party that thereafter their visits were undesirable, and the next time they came around they were to go empty-handed.