School: Baile Uí Dhuibh, Kilmeaden (roll number 13636)

Location:
Ballyduff West, Co. Waterford
Teacher:
Caitlín Madders

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Hallow Eve and its Customs

Archival Reference

The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0650, Page 306

Image and data © National Folklore Collection, UCD. See copyright details »

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On Hallow Eve night boys dress in disguise, so that nobody could recognize them. They paint their faces, and put old torn clothes on themselves.
They go from house to house singing and dancing, and they often play some instrument.
People generally give them some money in this part of the county Waterford, but in other parts they give alms of other kinds, such as tea, sugar, and bread.
Nowadays they usually keep the money themselves, but long ago it was give to the poor people of the parish.
Indoor games are still practised on this night. Long pieces of cord are tied from the ceiling, and an apple is tied to the end of each cord.
The players snap at the apple, and try to catch them with their teeth.
If they caught one they could take it. This is called "Snap Apple".

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Informant
Mrs de Lacey
Relation
unknown
Gender
female
Address
Kilmeadan, Co. Waterford
Language
English