School: Breac-Cluain (roll number 4796)
- Location:
- Brackloon, Co. Mayo
- Teacher: Seosamh Ó Meachair
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0138, Page 473
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- XML School: Breac-Cluain
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- XML “Festival Customs”
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On this page
- On St. Stephen's day the boys of this district go about from house to house with decorated bushes and singing the wren's song. They sing this song,
The wren, the wren the king of all birds. St. Stephen's day was caught in the fur. Up with the kettle and down with the pan. Give us our answer and let us be gone.
Money is gathered and is divided between those marched, they spend it then anyway they like.
The day before this they go about hunting the wren. When they catch him, they put him in a crib to show him at the doors.
On St. Patrick's day shamrock is worn by the people. Sometimes the girls wear a harp which is purchased in the shop.
The palm of the previous year is burned on Ash Wednesday and the ashes is put on the forehead to remind man that he is only dust and into dust he shall return. On May night the people put may flowers at the doors and on the windows.(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Patrick Heraty
- Gender
- Male
- Informant
- John Joyce
- Gender
- Male
- Informant
- Thomas Joyce
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Owenwee, Co. Mayo
