School: Meelick (C.)
- Location:
- Meelick, Co. Clare
- Teacher: Bean Uí Mhórdha
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0597, Page 365
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- XML School: Meelick (C.)
- XML Page 365
- XML “Fairs”
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- The principal old fairs of Clare were at Bridgetown, Kilkishen, Tulla, Spancel Hill, Clonroad, Clare Castle, Newmarket and Sixmilebridge. These fairs were all held in East Clare. Tolls were collected close to the fair fields. The first farmer to sell his cattle was to stand a drink. That was the custom in the old days. Then when they would be leaving the fair they would be met at the next cross by a man to collect the tolls which were usually three pence. Sometimes the jobbers would go to the houses to buy the cattle. The buyers found this inconvenient as the farmers in some cases would ask exorbitant prices. A luck penny was always paid. The luck penny would depend on the price the farmer would receive. if he got five pounds for his cattle he gave a three-penny bit for luck silver. The fairs long ago were different from the fairs that are there now. At present there are too many middle men and the farmer gets a poor price. The luck penny is from two shillings to two and sixpence according to the price the farmer gets.
- Informant
- Mr J. Connery
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 60
- Address
- Glennagross, Co. Clare
