School: Carrickerry (B.) (roll number 11280)
- Location:
- Carrigkerry, Co. Limerick
- Teacher: Seán Ó Conaill
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0487, Page 382
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- XML School: Carrickerry (B.)
- XML Page 382
- XML “Local Marriage Customs”
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- This little composition is about Weddings and how they were performed in Co Limerick in by-gone days.
When a hard working man would have a fortune made for one of his daughters and think it time to get her married and settled down, of course he would have some home or farm in view for her.
As he would call it himself a safe place for Mary. Some evening he would handle his blackthorn stick and approach the parents of Mary's intended. Matchmaking would be introduced, drops of whiskey would be drunk. Bargaining would be started. Such a field was the best in the parish. Mary was the best girl in the Neighbourhood. Nothing better than the man she was getting.
Finally the match was settled, the day of wedding arranged. Neighbours were invited. Invited guests went in groups of five to the nearest jarvey car owners and hired a side car for the drive. Perhaps there were ten cars or eighteen cars in addition to the covered car which was to convey the bride.
Off they started to the church in the early morning at a pretty lively pace. The marriage was performed in presence of a large and interesting crowd.
On the return journey some little incidents possible occurred. Some well wishes threw a horse shoe after the newly married couple as a sign of good luck, or four or five young men got a(continues on next page)
- Collector
- John Mc Mahon
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Glensharrold, Co. Limerick
