The Foidin Marb
The "Foidin Marbh" is a sod of ground and if you stand on it at night, you will be unable to find your way -- lifted as it is called...Long ago people had to carry the coffins long distances and left them down to rest. This place was the foidin marbh.
Lowpark, Co.Mayo
NFCS 0117: 160
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''Stray Sod"
In every district in Ireland, there is a stray sod. A stray sod is supposed to be the sod under which an unbaptized child is buried. In our land, there is a stray sod. It is situated on the slope of a hill in front of a fort. This is a fairy fort. People say they hear music and singing and see lights in it every night. There are two mounds of earth in this fort. I never heard of anyone going this way yet, but went astray at night.
Dangan (King) , Co.Roscommon
NFCS 0254: 382
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A Stray Sod
After the Battle of the Boyne the remains of some of the soldiers who were killed in the battle were brought to Donore and buried in a marshy piece of land in Mr. Berrills farm near the village of Donore. It is said that if you walk on the graves of the soldiers at night you will step on a ''stray sod'' and you will be walking round the field all night.
Donore, Co.Meath
NFCS 0682: 008
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The Stray Sod
Clonsilla has always been a well wooded district. The people from other districts used to come and hide in it in penal times. In Luttrellstown Wood there is a stray sod. Once a man was coming home he stepped on that sod and he kept walking around in a circle till morning. That sod is supposed to be a round circle.
Once there was a priest hiding in Luttrellstown. The English knew he was there and they set hounds after him. He went round and round in a circle and then gave a jump to set the hounds off his track that is supposed to be the original of the stray sod.
In coolmine woods there is a stray sod it is said that the priest was killed there and anyone who ever steps on a sod where a priest has been murdered will die also.
Clonsilla, Co.Dublin
NFCS 0790: 20
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My Townland
The Hanging field or Monans field is a very large one and it is so called because a man named Monan was hanged in it from a tree. There is also a stray sod in it and anyone who walks on it will never find his own house again.
Wilkinstown, Co.Meath
NFCS 0711: 078
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Fairy Forts
There is a fort not far from my home which is called mulla harnian. In certain nights of the year there are lights seen and wailing if people heard. In this place also there is a stray sod which came there hundreds of years ago after a witch was buried under it. Anyone passing this fort at night would be led astray. I never heard that there was ever a cave or hole in it.
Milltown, Co.Westmeath
NFCS 0742: 164
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there are also many accounts in which direct description of blame to otherworldy agency is lacking...
Folklore Fragments Podcast Episode 30: The Stray Sod (Blúiríní Béaloidis)
