School: Ballinahowen (roll number 8646)
- Location:
- Ballynahown, Co. Westmeath
- Teacher: T. Hanly
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0745, Page 077
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- XML School: Ballinahowen
- XML Page 077
- XML “Milking Custom”
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- When people have finished milking they make the sign of the cross on the cow's hip with the froth. When a person is looking at a cow or calf the first thing they always say os "God bless her." When a person comes in to the house where anyone is milking they say "God bless your work" and it is said that if they do not say this the cow wont give much milk. It is also believed that if you sing while milking the cow will give a great deal more milk. People put a cut on a calf's ear the first Friday after its birth to prevent it from taking the black leg.
- Collector
- Éoin O Reachtaraigh
- Gender
- Male
