School: Mullingar (Pres. Convent) (roll number 934)

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1. Hurling and Footballing Long Ago (continued)

   

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   The matches started at about three o'clock. They were over in a short time. These were parish matches and they were very rowdy because the men drank poteen after the match and hence a row began. They fought with the blackthorn sticks. The great matches were played in a field near the Méaran of two counties. They were called challenge matches. They caused great excitement and sometimes fierce fights. They often lasted for three days. The team that won was carried home shoulder high. Bonfires were lighted on the top of the hills and poteen was drunk. The poteen was made by a Mrs Crowley. There was also a field near the Dublin, owned by a Mr Keena in which the games

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. activities
      1. social activities (~7)
         1. entertainments and recreational activities (~5,933)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Nancy Whelehan

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

   Informant

   Mr Mc Hugh

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Culleen More, Co. Westmeath