School: Balrothery (roll number 8578)
- Location:
- Balrothery, Co. Dublin
- Teacher: S. Mag Fhionnbhairr
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0784, Page 82
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Feastival Customs
St Stephen's day is the day after Christmas day, and the young men of this district hunt the wren on this day, and for twelve days after this they go around from house to house mummering with the dead wren tied to a stick. Some people of this district fast on St Stephen's day because it is said those that do so will be free from fever throughout the year.
Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday is a feast day among the children because on that day they have colcannon for thier dinner, and pancakes for thier tea.
The holly and ivy which decorated the house at Christmas is taken down to bake the pancakes on that, and used for feul.
Halloween
Halloween is on the 31st of October that is the eve of all Saints Day. This is another children's feast. They have great sport on that night cracking nuts, and diving for apples and coins.
The mothers of this district always make colcannon for the children's dinner on this day. The people of this district believe that on Halloween night the poor souls come abroad, and so there is a good fire left in the hearth, and the fireplace is left very clean before going to(continues on next page)
- Collector
- S. Mag Fhionnbhairr
- Gender
- Male
- Occupation
- Múinteoir
