School: Dennmore
- Location:
- Dennmore or Legganden, Co. Cavan
- Teacher: Harriet Heaslip
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0977, Page 147
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- XML School: Dennmore
- XML Page 147
- XML “Local Marriage Customs”
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On this page
- "Runaway" marriages were the custom in this locality up to 35 years ago.
The pair would go to a neighbours house unknown to their parents. Then the neighbours would follow them and each man or boy would bring a bottle of whiskey and they would hold a big "spree".
In the meantime word would be sent to the girls home and her father or brother would come and take her home until arrangements would be made for the marriage. Then both parties would get in touch with each other and make the "match".
The bride would be expected to have a fortune the amount of which depended on the value of the "place" into which she was marrying. A groom with a good house an d farm might expect £200, whole one with lesser one got as little as £50. The bride's father settled this with the groom after he had valued the groom's farm and stock (the custom still prevails not to such an extent.)(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Kester Heaslip
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Killynanum, Co. Cavan
