School: Dunmanus, Toormore
- Location:
- Dunmanus East, Co. Cork
- Teacher: Helena Lucey
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0288, Page 179
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- XML School: Dunmanus, Toormore
- XML Page 179
- XML “Old Customs”
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- The people in this district still adhere to many customs that were prevalent in ages past. Outsiders may laugh at these observances but the people say "make no law and break no law our forefathers did these things and they did not do them for nothing.
It is considered an omen of ill-luck to meet a red-haired woman in the beginning of a journey. Spilling salt portends a quarrel. A dog crying in the night is an omen of death. If a honey-bee enter the house buzzing it is a sign of news. If a knife falls off the table or if you dropped a knife by accident it means that you'll have a gentleman visitor, and if a spoon falls you will entertain a lady visitor. To find a horse-shoe is very lucky and some people hang one on the back of a door to bring luck. It is very lucky to find a black cat and it is said - "If a black cat to you stray butter his feet and make him stay". To see a moth flying around you means you will get a letter. To see a spider creeping on your dress means that you will get a new one. A tea leaf swimming on top of your(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Hannah Mac Grath
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- Gorttyowen, Co. Cork
