School: Forgney, Ballymahon (roll number 860)
- Location:
- Forgney, Co. Longford
- Teacher: Mrs B. Higgins
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0750, Page 383
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- (continued from previous page)The duration of a candle was supposed to indicate the length of life the owner was to enjoy. When a candle died out all exclaimed
"There's ___________ gone! Lord have mercy on him!"
The candles were watched with the greatest interest. Those fated to die early were consoled with, while the long livers were congratulated.
My mother used to say that the correct thing was to say the Rosary while the candles were burning. But as they proved too great a distraction we postponed the Rosary till all the candles were burnt out.
If any member of the family was absent a candle was named after him too, and prayers offered for him during the Rosary.
Never, under any circumstances, was the family Rosary omitted on that, or any other night of the year, and such was the practice in every house in the neighbourhood, and still is.
- Collector
- B. Higgins
- Gender
- Female
- Occupation
- Teacher
