School: Clonfinlough, Athlone

Location:
Clonfinlough, Co. Offaly
Teacher:
E. Ní Mhionacháin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0812, Page 339

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0812, Page 339

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  1. XML School: Clonfinlough, Athlone
  2. XML Page 339
  3. XML “Customs on Twelfth Night”

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  1. It is an old custom with the Irish Catholics to light twelve candles or rushes on Twelfth Night.
    A couple of days before that night the rushes are cut, and hung in the chimney so that they may dry out thoroughly. Then they are taken down and peeled on one side, and candle grease rubbed on them. Then there is a sod made, of cow manure, and the rushes are stuck in it. The twelve rushes are named after the twelve Apostles. Every person chooses a candle for himself and what-ever candle dies first signifies that, the person who chose it will dies first.

    Paddy Redican
    Clonfanlough
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)
        1. Epiphany (~58)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Paddy Redican
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Clonfinlough, Co. Offaly
    Informant
    Kieran Hynes
    Relation
    Grandparent
    Gender
    Male
    Age
    80
    Address
    Clonascra, Co. Offaly