School: Davidstown (roll number 9682)
- Location:
- Davidstown, Co. Wexford
- Teacher: Marion G. Brennan
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0901, Page 282
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- XML “Superstitions in Connection with Wakes”
- XML “Superstitions in Connection with Wakes”
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On this page
- (continued from previous page)In the graveyard each relative throws in a handful of clay before the covering of the grave is begun. In this parish a Month's Mind is generally held over the deceased person - also a twelve months' Memory (Both requiem Mass & Office).
- Pat Hennessey (22) Davidstown, told him by his father, Michael Hennessey (5-) who heard it from the late Nicholas Keating, Ballinavarry who died in 1918 aged 100.
Wakes were held in barn or outhouse. Whiskey & tobacco given out. Games, such as "Hide the button", "the Priest of the Parish", the rule of contrariness" &c were played to pass the night away. Cards were sometimes played, at which the corpse would be counted a player.
Relatives walking behind the bier at a funeral were expected to cry. The bed in which the person was waked had to be moved immediately for fear another member of the family would soon be waking. A limber corpse was supposed to presage the same went.
No member of the family would answer a knock at the door after nightfall in a house where a person had died, for fear it might be the dead person returning for another member of the family. After three weeks the danger had passed. - Informant
- Pat Hennessey
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 22
- Address
- Davidstown, Co. Wexford
