School: Cluain (C.) (roll number 15443)
- Location:
- Cloone, Co. Leitrim
- Teacher: Bean Uí Sholamháin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0222, Page 105
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- The course of time has brought wth it in Ireland many changes. There was nothing used in Ireland about sixty years ago except rush candles. They have not died in many parts of Ireland yet.
On the sixth of January every year there are twelve rush candle lit to represent the twelve Apostles. Each person in the house has to light a rush candle. There is a tradition to this that whichever candel dies first the person that lit it is going to die within the year.
This is how the rush candles were made. Some fresh rushes were gathered and peeled. They were placed in what is called a "cam" or "grisset". This was put on the hearthstone with a portion of lard in it. They then place the tongs in the fire and keep it there until the broad end of the tongs, with which the turf is gripped, becomes red hot.
They then placed the lard in the grissed between them, and squeezed it until nothing remained but pure oil. Through this(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Kathleen Keegan
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- Curraun, Co. Leitrim
- Informant
- John Keegan
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 75
- Address
- Curraun, Co. Leitrim
