School: Farnham
- Location:
- Farnham, Co. Cavan
- Teacher: F. Magahy
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0975, Page 171
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- XML School: Farnham
- XML Page 171
- XML “Festival Customs”
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- In this district ancient customs play a leading part in the year's feasts. Many of these customs are handed down from ancient pagan times, but their origin does not diminish their significance.
On New Year's Day it is considered unlucky to dispose of anything of any kind - not even dirty water or ashes, and people will not even sell milk, but cling firmly to all their possessions. On New Year's Eve the heart is swept exceptionally clean and the door is left open in order to permit any fairies to enter and warm themselves.
St. Brigid's Day is observed by each member of the household making a cross from straw and rushes, and the house is decorated by these - most of which are perfectly made.
Everybody wears a bunch of shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day, and , although the custom is almost dead, some people drown them at the end of the day.
It has always been considered very unlucky to go near water on Whit Sunday or Whit Monday, and this belief is strengthened by the fact that many holiday seekers are drowned during Whit week-end.(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Desmond Gerald Magahy
- Gender
- Male
