School: Cor na Fola (B.) (roll number 1607)

Location:
Cornafulla, Co. Roscommon
Teacher:
Liam Ó Hannáin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0271, Page 029

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0271, Page 029

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  1. XML School: Cor na Fola (B.)
  2. XML Page 029
  3. XML “Festival Customs”

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  1. Most boys of this district go round from house to house on St. Stephen's day singing the wren's song. They do this in honour of St. Stephen who was the first martyr. The song is:
    The wren the wren the king of all birds,
    On St. Stephen's day was caught in the furze,
    Although she is little her family is great,
    Get up my boys and give us a treat,
    All silver and no brass,
    A half crown is no great loss
    If you haven't a penny a half-penny will do,
    And if you haven't a half-penny may God bless you.
    When the day is over they divide the money and each one buys what he wants. On St. Bridget's night we all dress in white clothes and we twist straw ropes around us. Then we go from house to house gathering flour, butter, eggs currants and raisins. On the following night we have a great feast.
    On Easter Sunday we all get up early to see the sun dancing. We put down a lot of eggs. We go to mass and when we come home we have a great dinner. Then we go out playing foot-ball.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    James Connaughton
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Cloonark, Co. Roscommon