School: Clareen, Birr
- Location:
- Clareen, Co. Offaly
- Teacher: S. Ó Néill
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0821, Page 286
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- XML “Old Beliefs”
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- If a cock comes into the house and crows, it is very unlucky.
If a sod of turf falls out of the fire a stranger is coming to the house.
If you cry on New Year's Day you will be crying throughout the year.
If a red haired person is the first to enter your house on New Year's Day you will have bad luck throughout the year.
A dark haired visitor on New Year's Day is lucky.
To break a mirror is a sign of seven years bad luck.
A member of the family who goes out on New Year's Day must not come back empty handed, or there will not be enough food for the year.
If a religious picture is broken it is a sign of death.
It is unlucky to throw out anything on New Year's Day.
If you dream of a fire you'll have a visitor.
If salt is spilled on New Year's Day you will have a row with your neighbours during the year.
If the cock crows inside the house some one is going to die (in the family)
If a strange cat comes to your house on New Year's Day your house will be infested with rats all the year.
When a child is going to be christened put ashes on it's head to keep away the fairies.
Tie a piece of red thread on the child's arms also to keep the fairies away.
If the child does not cry during baptism he will not live long.
If you get lost in the night, turn your coat to break the spell, and you'll find your way home.
If a corpse is limber there will be another death within the year.
A cock crowing at night is very unlucky.
A person born on Whit Monday will either take his own life or another.
A man from this parish born on Whit Monday lost his mind and died taking his own life
