put light in the windows and left the door open. They hoped that seeing the light the Blessed Virgin would enter to rest herself and so leave a blessing on the house.Nollaig na mBan.On the twelfth night the people collected twelve rushes, and dried and peeled them. They then steeped them in melted fat and lighted them with the whole family present. Each took a rush. If there were not twelve people in the family neighbours' names were substituted. The first rush to go out its owner was to die first and so on with the rest.

fairies are said to be seen there.Michaelmas
In olden times people that could afford it would kill a heifer and the poorest people would kill a goose.St. Martin's Day
People used to kill another goose for St. Martin's day.Twelve days of Xmas
During the twelve days of Xmas we have great fun. The last day of Christmas is the sixth of January. This is called small Xmas, it is often called Woman's Xmas in our district. On that day they say "Nollaig na mban , Nollaig gan mhaith." The reason for saying this is because all the good things are eaten and drunk before that night.New Years Day
In olden times all the people used to make pancakes New years day for that night for to be throwing them against the door for to keep out the hunger for the rest of the year.