Local Fairs
CBÉS 0050
Page 0352
The local fairs are held in Whitegate, Woodford and Portumna. In addition to the fairs there are markets held one day in the week for farm produce.All classes of stock are for sale on the same day at the local fairs. Some of the towns have what is know as a "fair green" where all the stock are exhibited. The Fair Green of Woodford was originally a walled in field where the owner was charged a sum per head for stock going into the field. The field was bought out in later times by the Towns Committee, who appointed men to collect a sum per head on all animals sold, none on unsold. This sum is called toll. A penny is charged on a bonham and twopence per head on cattle. The towns Committee also arranged for monthly fairs and charged no toll on new fairs. That is the reason no toll is charged at some fairs.When a bargain is being made any person standing by will ask them to split the difference. If the buyer is satisfied he will stick to his rod in the mud and put it on the animal as it is thought lucky to mark them with mud. In order to discern them for the future he will again mark them with paint or a scissors.When a horse s sold the owner has to give the halter free. When a seller is paid for stock, he hands back a coin to the buyer, same is called luckpenny