School: Maghcromtha (B.)

Location:
Macroom, Co. Cork
Teacher:
Pádraig Ó Deasmhumhna
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0342, Page 186

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0342, Page 186

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  1. XML School: Maghcromtha (B.)
  2. XML Page 186
  3. XML “Easter Sunday”
  4. XML “Christmas Eve”

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  1. About forty years ago, I spent a good deal of my spare time at my grandfather's home at Shanballyshane at Kilnamartyra. Irish was the main language, rosary always in Irish. The custom invariable on Xmas Eve was : No dinner at usual midday hour. In evening, potatoes and prepared stock fish. Then, before a fire blazing with turf and a special 'scolb', the tea things were brought first, with home-made and purchased Christmas cakes, and afterwards the kettle was put down, when the drinking of "punch" commenced. The Christmas candles had of course been lighted - by the youngest of the house [I do that myself in the town of Macroom still]. This went on, I am afraid up to a late hour, with plenty of songs. Sometimes close neighbours (menfolk) exchanged "calls", but as a rule no strangers were seen that night.
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.