School: An Clochar, Gráig na Muilte Iarainn

Location:
Woodford, Co. Galway
Teacher:
Sr. I. Breathnach
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0050, Page 0429

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0050, Page 0429

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  1. XML School: An Clochar, Gráig na Muilte Iarainn
  2. XML Page 0429
  3. XML “Local Marriage Customs”

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  1. Marriages usually take place in this locality during Shrovetide. The month of May is supposed to be unlucky and the days of the week, Monday and Saturday are also looked upon as being unlucky.
    The old people considered it lucky to get married in Shrovetide; becuase as it followed Christmas they looked upon it as a time of peace and goodwill on earth.
    The old custom of matchmaking is still carried on but not as much as in former days. The matchmaker was looked upon in the olden times as a professional gentleman.
    When a young man was thinking of getting married in olden days, he apporached this man, and spoke about some particular girl he was anxious to marry. As a result the matchmaker went to her parents to ask her in marriage for this
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. social activities (~7)
        1. rites of passage (~573)
          1. marriage (~4,283)
    Language
    English
    Informant
    Denis Malone
    Gender
    Male
    Age
    72
    Address
    Woodford, Co. Galway