School: Newbawn, Rathdrum
- Location:
- Newbawn, Co. Wicklow
- Teacher: G. Ó Dubhghaill
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0926, Page 040
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- XML School: Newbawn, Rathdrum
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- XML “May Day Customs in Connection with Cows and Milk”
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“Hind-legs of a calf which died from "black-leg were hung in the chimney.”
Hind-legs of a calf which died from *black-leg" were hung in the chimney. These were said and believed to prevent other cattle on the farm getting the disease. This custom was observed up till 1932 at least by people named McCall living at Templelyon Redcross. Co. Wicklow.
The same custom was observed by farmers named Earls of Oughill, Red cross.
- It was believed that witches etc,. could take the profit of the milk by taking the dew off the grass on May morning.
To overcome the power of the witch and to retain the profit of the milk and to prevent disease coming on the cattle, the cows were driven out to the fields on May Day with a hazel stick.
This custom still is observed by farmers in Redcross district.
These people do not sell or give milk away to anyone on May-day.
