School: Clooncullaun (roll number 13163)

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1. Local Fairs (continued)

   

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   was removed to Elphin where better order was enforced.

   Another fair now held in Strokestown was formerly held in Ballinafad, a district about three miles to the south of the town. Disorder was also the cause of this fair being discontinued. It was said to be the rendezvous of most of the tinker fraternity of Connaught and the midlands and their annual incursion into the district led to much disturbances that the fair was abolished by governing authorities.

   Though all the fairs are now held in the local towns and have been for the past century private sales have always been transacted at farmers houses and such sales are rather on the increase than on the wane, because the buyers say that cattle so bought escape the abuse that they would otherwise get at a fair. Tolls are always paid on stock sold at the established fair and it is customary for the seller always to give luck money to the buyer. Bargain-making is always accompanied by clapping of hands and when at last the price is mutually agreed upon, the buyer of one of his friends puts a mark of a bit of mud or dirt on the animal's quarter. The buyer also puts on a permanent mark by clipping the hair with a pair of scissors.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. activities
      1. economic activities
         1. trade
            1. buying and selling (~3,622)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Mat Conroy

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   64

   Address

   Clooncullaan, Co. Roscommon