School: Long an Inbhair

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1. Local Marriage Customs

   

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   In this district marriages take place any time during the year, but most frequently before Lent. Tuesdays and Saturdays are said to be unlucky days to get marries, and also the months of May and August. It is about twenty five years ago since matches were made in this district. The match-maker was a very important man in the district then, and his advice was much sought on fair and market days. Land and stock used to be given as dowry, but money is generally given now. It is about seventy years ago since people used be married in the priest's house. An old custom when people used get married long ago was that the bride used wear something old, and something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Other customs were, that a bride should not wear anything green, and after the marriage ceremony, an old book, and rice used to be thrown after the married couple, so that they would have good luck. Another custom was that when the bride would come to her husband's house, she would go in, and get the tongs and touch three coals on the fire for good luck. After the wedding in the church, all the people drive to the bride's house, and sometimes the whole party was held up by ropes being pulled across the road. The party would not be allowed to proceed any farther until the groom paid whatever money was demanded. The amount vairied in places, and sometimes two shillings, and sixpence was demanded, and at other places payment of ten shillings had to be made. It is about fifty years ago since this custom was in the district. The wedding feast is still held in the groom's house, and that night the "strawboys" or "gráinnes"

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. activities
      1. social activities (~7)
         1. rites of passage (~573)
            1. marriage (~4,283)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Thomas Nulty

   Gender

   Male

   Informant

   Patrick Byrd

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   66

   Address

   Drumfomina, Co. Cavan