School: Gallbhaile (roll number 1316)

Location:
Galbally, Co. Wexford
Teacher:
Mícheál L. Mac Murchadha
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0902, Page 036

Archival Reference

The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0902, Page 036

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  1. XML School: Gallbhaile
  2. XML Page 036
  3. XML “Local Marriage Customs”

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  1. Every county in Ireland had its own marriage customs many of which were not known outside the particular district. Only some of these customs still survive.
    In the county Wexford in olden days there was a custom known as "the race for the garters." In those days the men invited to the wedding went to the church on horseback and whoever went had to kiss the bride. When the ceremony was over the guests had a race from the church to the bride's house and whoever reached the house first was presented with a pair of garters. Of course these were the times when the men wore long stockings and knee breches and they used to wear garters.
    Another Wexford custom is known as "horning" the newly married pair. This consists of men gathering in the night or late in the evening around the house in which the pair lived. They blow into bottomless bottles and seashells, the noise made sound like that of the fog-horn and is heard for many miles around
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. social activities (~7)
        1. rites of passage (~573)
          1. marriage (~4,283)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Peggy Murphy
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Ballymorris, Co. Wexford
    Informant
    Mr Owen Murphy
    Gender
    Male
    Age
    43
    Address
    Ballymorris, Co. Wexford