School: Páirc na gCrann (roll number 16042)

Location:
Woodfield, Co. Mayo
Teacher:
Seán Ó Cearnaigh
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0111, Page 115

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0111, Page 115

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  1. XML School: Páirc na gCrann
  2. XML Page 115
  3. XML “Local Marriage Customs”

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  1. Marriages take place during Shrove, and on Shrove Tuesday. Mondays and Fridays are thought unlucky and the month of May also for marriages. Matches are made in the district. Money is also given as a fortune to the bride, bed-clothes and a cow or two are also given. Some people remember marriages taking place in their houses. They used to take place half a century ago: or more. It was a common thing to have ten or twelve side-cars, and a very long time ago, they used to walk.
    A wedding feast is held in the bride's house, usually. Feasting and dancing is held until morning. During the night gay Straw boys come and sends in a note in top of a stick, and introduce themselves and asks to see the bride. Their dress was tall hats and old body clothes if they could be found. They used to have clubs and side blades. They always got a very cool reception. If they got a moderate share of drink their beheaviour was all right but if not their beheaviour was very bad. Those who attended the wedding raced against each other home on horseback themselves. The wives used to go on horseback themselves.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. social activities (~7)
        1. rites of passage (~573)
          1. marriage (~4,283)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Máiréad Ní hÉanacháin
    Gender
    Female
    Age
    12
    Address
    Lurgan, Co. Mayo
    Informant
    Thomas Henehan
    Gender
    Male
    Age
    66
    Occupation
    Farmer
    Address
    Lurgan, Co. Mayo