School: Ballyduff (roll number 17097)

Location:
Ballyduff Upper, Co. Wicklow
Teacher:
Caitlín Ní Mharannáin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0927, Page 114

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0927, Page 114

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  1. XML School: Ballyduff
  2. XML Page 114
  3. XML “The May-Bush”

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  1. The May Bush is one of the customs we have in Killiskey. On the evening of May Eve the boys go out and gather money with which they buy candles. They purcahse about six penny ones and cut them in two. Next they get egg shells and flowers. A few boys then go and cut a sgeach tree from the root, one that is in blossom. When the May Bush arrives it is stuck into the ground at the Killiskey bridge. The candles, flowers and egg shells are then stuck on it. The candles are then lighted and the May Bush looks very nice. Other boys make on a bone fire a short distance away from the May Bush, and Killiskey for that night is a very pleasant place. The May Bush and the bone fire are all ready now, and some young boy is sent around the village to call all the people out to enjoy themselves. Soon the place is full. The older people sitting up on the bridge, while the young people dance around and play music.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. events
      1. events (by time of year) (~11,476)
        1. May (~639)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Sally Geoghegan
    Gender
    Female