School: Druimín (Drummons) (roll number 13521)
- Location:
- Na Dromanna, Co. Liatroma
- Teacher: Mártan Mac Gabhann
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0157, Page 043
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- On St Bridget's Eve the old practice of making St Bridget's Crosses was practiced very widely in this district until about the end of the last century. There used to be great ceremony and exactness of words in carrying out the perfomance. A rehersal was necessary and generally carried out some evening before.Nowadays the crosses are made but there is no prescribed words used. The materials being brought into the house and immediately the work of cross-making commences. When a sufficient number is made they are distributed as suits. The style of the crosses varies and differenty materials are used. The recognised St Bridget style of cross is getting less in vogue. Two other kinds are made in this lcoality. All are called St Bridget's Cross. As a boy of twelve I was put through the ceremony by my grandmother in the year 1902 and took part in the rite on St Bridget's Eve that year. I remember going out for the rushes and hiding them until supper time. I returned to my grandmother's house and I distinctly remember on my return the seeming want of further interest in the proceedings, of my grandmother. This lack of interest was only part of the ritual for when the supper was almost ready I was told to finish the ceremony. I did three circuits of the house and they were long circuits. On opening to the door I knocked on the door and spoke in Irish "Go(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Martin B. Mc Gowan
- Gender
- Male
