School: Na Frasa (roll number 16375)

Location:
Frosses, Co. Donegal
Teacher:
Seán Mac Robhartaigh
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1036, Page 112

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1036, Page 112

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  1. XML School: Na Frasa
  2. XML Page 112
  3. XML “Old Superstitions Regarding Cows and Milk”

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  1. In olden times the people thought the fairies had power over the cows. When a cow was after calving a little bit of a blessed candle was tied to her tail. They thought that this prevented the fairies from stealing the butter.
    When a cow was let out for the first time after calving a fire was lighted in the byre door. The cow was made to walk over this fire. The people thought that this prevented the fairies from interfereing with the cow.
    Before churning the people put a pinch of salt on the lid of the churn and they make the sign of the cross on the churn. They thing that this prevents the fairies from stealing the butter.
    In this parish, it is the custom for a person to go in to his neighbours house for a can of butter-milk. Before letting the butter-milk out of the house the woman
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. economic activities
        1. agriculture (~2,659)
    Language
    English
    Informant
    Mrs Ellen Breslin
    Gender
    Female
    Age
    84
    Address
    Ballybrollaghan, Co. Donegal