School: Knockcommon (roll number 16549)

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1. Festival Customs (continued)

   

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   ribbons, papers, and flowers. They then put lighted candles on it, by sticking them on to the thorns of the bush. The children then dance round it singing May songs.

   The 15th of August:

   On the 15th of August it is the custom with the local people to go to the Holy Well in Slane and bring home some water and then if anyone gets a sore throat they use the water because it is supposed to cure it.

   Hallow-E'en:

   On Hallow-E'en night the people have bracks apples and nuts. There are also rings in the bracks and the people have great fun to see who'll get the ring, because it is said whoever gets the ring will be married first. Apples are then hung from the ceiling and each person has to try and take a bite of them without putting his hand to them. Nuts are also eaten on this night.

   St. Stephen's Day:

   Some of the local men dress up on St. Stephan's day and go from house to house carrying a wren on the holly branch singing:

   "The Wran, the "Wran" the king of all birds,
   On St. Stephen's day was caught in the furze,
   Although she is small her family is great,
   Rise up Miss -- and give us a trate (treat).

   They usually get money and pudding at the houses and when night comes they share out the money evenly around themselves. They also visit the houses on New Year's day.

   
   Josie Dwyer,
   Rathdrina
   Beauparc

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Josie Dwyer

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Rathdrinagh, Co. Meath