Feast-Days

transcribed at

Feast-Days  [duchas:4599919]

Feast Days.

Feast-Days  [duchas:4599920]

On St. Brigid's Eve crosses are made from rushes; the youngest person in the house goes around the house three time with the crosses. He then kneels on the door step and knocks three times saying, "Go down on your knees and let Brigid in." Those inside the house reply "She is welcome" The crosses are left aside and blessed on All Saint's Day.
On St. Patrick's Day shamrocks are worn in honour of Saint Patrick. Processions headed by bands are held in towns.
On St. Stephen's Day, the wren-boys go around. It is customary for people to abstain from meat on this day, believing that if they do so they will not contract any disease throughout the following year.
On Shrove Tuesday night pancakes are made and eaten at the evening meal.
On Ash Wednesday long ago people kept a black fast- no eggs or butter were allowed.
On Easter Sunday eggs are eaten at every meal. It is said the sun dances on that morning in honour of Our Lord's Resurrection.
On Whit Sunday-no one fishes or bathes. It is said to be dangerous to go near water of even to go to sleep during the day.

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On May-Day flowers are strewn at the doors - it is said to be wrong to borrow or lend anything on that day.
St. Swithin's Day-If is rain on this day it will rain on each of the next forty days.
St. John's Night (Bonfire Night) Bonfires are lighted at every house-great cheering and merrymaking it is said to be unlucky not to light a bonfire on this night.
On Halloween Night there is great feasting in every house. Apples and nuts are eaten. Tricks are played. An apple is hung from the roof and the children try to catch the apple without touching it by hand.
Three saucers are put on the table; one containing some clay, another some water, while in the third is put a ring.
The players blindfolded, in turn go to the table and each places his hand on one of the saucers. The person who touches the clay will die before the end of the year. He who touches the ring will be married before the end of the year. The person who touches the water will cross the sea before the end of the year.
On Christmas Eve large wax candles are lighted and places in the windows.
After Christmas the "mummers" go from

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house to house collecting money. They disguise their faces and wear ribbons on their hats.
With the money they collect they have a dance in one of the neighbours' houses. This is called locally a "join."