School: Cluainteach (C.), Newtownforbes
- Location:
- Cloontagh, Co. Longford
- Teacher: Bean Mhic Garaidh
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0756, Page 237
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- XML “Religious Customs and Other Customs - The <span class="exact">Bonfire</span> Night”
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- (continued from previous page)the fire. They went around from house to house asking the turf for the bonfire. They were never refused. They brought all the turf to the local cross roads, and there they built the fire. About 8 or 9 o'clock the blaze was made. Sometimes they brought blocks and poured parafin oil over them. These they put in the centre of of the heap of turf and set them on fire with matches. Soon there was a blaze and soon a cheer went up from the young people who stood around. Some musical instrument was provided and ere long there was a dance in full swing. Turn after turn went on until perhaps 1 or 2 o'clock. I heard people tell that in this locality along with the dance they made a feast. This was a feast of "bread and milk". A collection was made and with the money, bread was bought. The milk was procured in any farmers' houses. Then they boiled the bread and milk and each one got a share. I expect the boys were not too hard to please, that they were fairly hungry after the long hours spent in the collection of material for their fire. I also heard that if they were not able to get the milk in the farmers' houses, they went around and milked either the cows or goats in the fields
