School: Páirc Íseal (C.) (roll number 4794)
- Location:
- Lowpark, Co. Mayo
- Teacher: Sorcha Ní Dhumhnaigh
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0117, Page 153
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- XML School: Páirc Íseal (C.)
- XML Page 153
- XML “St John's Night”
- XML “St Martin's Night”
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- A big bonfire is made in the evening on some hill or cross-roads. The boys and girls collect turf from the neighbouring reeks of turf or the bogs. A bone is put in the middle of the fire - (usually the bone of an animal who died during the year) The youngsters enjoy themselves dancing and singing. When leaving the bonfire each one takes a live coal home for luck. Some throw the coal into the potato field.
There is a custom of jumping the bonfire, to keep diseases from the cattle during the year, others drive the cattle between two bonfires for the same reason.
- A cock is killed in every house and the blood spilled in the four-corners of the house and in the outshot in honour of St. Martin.This must be done between November (Night) Day and St. Martins Day.(continues on next page)
