The legend of the healing powers of the lucky seventh son of a seventh son is the subject of this 'Newsbeat' report from 1970. Michael Ryan meets their mothers, the faithful, the hopeful and the cured.
'Newsbeat' features the seventh son of a seventh son Finbar Nolan, who it is claimed has healing powers. This report includes an interview with Finbar's mother, Mrs Bernard Nolan, who tells of his healing powers that were evident from an early age. She talks about how she had prayed for a seventh son, as it is said they are lucky. She also talks about the connection between the lucky seventh son and earthworms.
While it is claimed that the seventh son of a seventh son has healing powers, the report acknowledges that they have not brought people back from the dead.
Ringworm, cow pox, back pains, leg pains, joints creaking and twisting with age. These are the things seventh sons are called upon to soothe, breathe on, and to lay their hands upon.
Another mother of a seventh son Mrs. Kathleen Bannon of Clarinbridge, Co. Galway speaks to Michael Ryan about the gifts that come with being the seventh son.
This episode of 'Newsbeat' was broadcast on 11 March, 1970.
Title: |
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son |
Clip Duration: |
00:04:20 |
Material Type: |
Video |
Clip Title: |
Healing Hands of the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son |
Series Title: |
Newsbeat |
Information: |
This episode of 'Newsbeat' was broadcast on 11 March, 1970. 'Newsbeat' was a half-hour feature programme presented by Frank Hall and ran for 7 years from September 1964 to June 1971. 'Newsbeat' went out from Monday to Friday on RTE television and reported on current affairs and issues of local interest from around Ireland. The final programme was broadcast on the 11 June, 1971. |
Local Keywords: |
newsbeat, superstitions, seventh son, finbar nolan, healing |
Coverage: |
Ireland |
Topic: |
Society and Social Issues |
Contributor(s): |
MIchael Ryan (Reporter) |
Publisher: |
RTÉ |
First Broadcast Channel: |
RTÉ |
Broadcast Date: |
11/03/1970 |
Production Year: |
1970 |
Country of Production: |
Ireland |
Original Identifier: |
P134/00070 |
IPR Restrictions: |
Rights Reserved - Free Access |
Rights, Terms and Conditions: |
Copyright RTÉ. This material may not be replicated in any form or manner without the prior express permission of RTÉ. Any form of reproduction in print, television, video, multimedia, web site or other electronic media or any form of dissemination for commercial or non-commercial use must be licensed by the RTÉ Archives. If you wish to licence video or audio clips, still images or text, or would like further guidance please contact us. RTÉ Archives are committed to respecting the copyright of others and have attempted to source and credit the copyright owners of all material used here. RTÉ would like to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified here so that the necessary corrections can be made. If you feel your copyright has not been respected please contact us. |
Item Type: |
part/extract |
Colour: |
Black and White |
Sound: |
Mono |
Aspect Ratio: |
4:3 |
Language: |
English (eng) |
Original Language: |
English (eng) |
