School: St Egney's (C.), Buncrana

Location:
Buncrana, Co. Donegal
Teacher:
Ellen Daly
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1112, Page 441

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1112, Page 441

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  1. XML School: St Egney's (C.), Buncrana
  2. XML Page 441
  3. XML “May Day”
  4. XML “Proverbs”

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  1. May Day
    In years gone by the people used to throw a primrose in the byre door so that the fairies would not take away the milk from the cows for the year. It was at May eve that they threw this primrose in the byre door.
    When a rooster crows after night-fall it is not lucky, for it is said that it is a sign of death in the house.
    It is said that hens are lucky to have about the house.
    And children gather May flowers and leave a few on every door-step.
    It was considered unlucky to buy or sell on Whit Monday, on a Friday, on 31st October or Hallow eve or on a Saturday. Whistle-Sunday the people used call Whit-Sunday. A foal born on that day will kill or be killed.
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.