School: Roxboro

Location:
Roxborough, Co. Roscommon
Teacher:
Donncha Ó Ruairc
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0258, Page 036

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0258, Page 036

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  1. XML School: Roxboro
  2. XML Page 036
  3. XML “Beliefs about May Day”

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  1. There are many old superstitious beliefs attached to May day. Of course many people nowadays do not believe these superstitions. But, in olden times the people were very exact as to what they did on May day. They were always sure to put their cows in a house on that night. For they believed that a covetous neighbour comes into the field and milks the cows. By doing so they mean to steal the butter away. Some people also would not let a sup of milk, a coat, money and such things out of the house as they believed that they would lose some of their stock. But, if it is necessary for them to give milk away, they often put a sup of holy water on it. So that they won't lose any stock. If a person is going on a journey on May day and if they meet a red haired woman on the road they should turn back in order to avoid bad luck. They should also turn back if they saw a magpie.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)
        1. May (~639)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Josephine Kelly
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Cloonarragh, Co. Roscommon
    Informant
    Mr Dan Rattigan
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Cartron, Co. Roscommon