School: Wilkinstown (roll number 1917)

Location:
Wilkinstown, Co. Meath
Teacher:
Máire Ní Failcheallaigh
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0711, Page 045

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0711, Page 045

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  1. XML School: Wilkinstown
  2. XML Page 045
  3. XML “Important Days and Their Customs - St Brigid Will Pray for the Household”

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  1. St Brigid will pray for the household.
    May Eve and May Day -
    Being on of the famous feast days of the Pagan Irish many customs have down to us which used to be practised on May Eve and May Day. The one that is practised in this district at present is the decoration of the May Bush. On May eve the youngest member of the family goes out and cuts a nice green bush and carries it home. It is then set up in front of the house and bunches of lovely flowers are tied on it with many coloured ribbons. Sometimes painted egg-shells are also put on it. When it is finished the children dance and sing around it and when night falls they light candles on it. Some years ago when the May Bush was decorated the children used to carry it round from house to house looking for money and singing "A long life a happy life"
    And a penny for May-Bush.
    The old people say that the young girl who goes out and washes her face in the dew at sunrise on May morning will always be beautiful.
    Lucky and Unlucky Days -
    The old people had strange beliefs about
    (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. Feast of St Brigid (~366)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Dolours Sheridan
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Wilkinstown, Co. Meath
    Informant
    Thomas Duffy
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Wilkinstown, Co. Meath