From the Irish Folklore Commission’s School’s Survey (1937-39),  113: 354, a note from Urlaur, Co. Mayo:

‘There is also a herb called Shepherds purse [Capsella bursa-pastoris] it got that name because its seeds are in a kind of purse.  Long ago the shepherds tied a bundle of these herbs around the necks of their sheep.  It was believed that wolves would not be able to see sheep when they had these herbs round their necks.’

Similarly 177: 33, from Collooney, Co. Sligo:

‘The Shepherd’s Purse got its name from the shape of its seed pods,  At one time the shepherds used to tie a bundle of these round the necks of their sheep to make them invisible to the wolves.’

Also recorded from Bruree, Co. Limerick (498: 128).

Any comments on, or other records of, this practice would be greatly appreciated; please send them to roy@plant-lore.com

Image:  shepherd’s purse in W.H. Fitch & W.G. Smith, Illustrations of the British Flora, ed.5, 1949.

Updated 26 February 2025.