School: Clochar na Toirbhirte, Mainistir na Corann (roll number 512)
- Location:
- Midleton, Co. Cork
- Teacher: An tSr. Seosamh
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0395, Page 213
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- XML School: Clochar na Toirbhirte, Mainistir na Corann
- XML Page 213
- XML “Old Customs - Saint John's Eve”
- XML “Old Customs - Saint Brigid's Eve”
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- A very old custom here is lighting a bonfire in honour of St John on the eve of June the 24th. It was always done long ago, but now it is dying out. Every house in the town or village would provide something for the fire. Then some of the young people would help build it on some open space or cross roads. Just before it becomes dark, the oldest person in the place would put the fire alight. They make the Sign of the Cross over it with the youngest person present. They also burn a weed called Muggard and keep it for a cure. They dance and sing and play games around the fire and some people take home a burned stick out of the last embers of the fire and keep it for luck.Kathleen Laar
- In olden times St Brigid's night was called "Bredeog Night" in this district. On that night a sack of hay was dressed up, to represent a girl of seven or eight years of age, and she was called "the Biddy."
The young men of the district, when their day's work was over went around to every house. They would entertain the household in the kitchen, singing, playing, music, dancing, and reciting. Afterwards(continues on next page) - Collector
- Rita Fitzgerald
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- Midleton, Co. Cork
