School: Achadh Fobhair (roll number 13853)

Location:
Aghagower, Co. Mayo
Teacher:
Hannah T. Kevilla
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0088E, Page 04_021

Archival Reference

The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0088E, Page 04_021

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  1. XML School: Achadh Fobhair
  2. XML Page 04_021
  3. XML “Local Marriage Customs”

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  1. Marriages take place in this district usually on Wednesdays. People say it is a lucky day and they say that Saturday is an unlucky day. Long ago when there were no motor cars nor side cars people used to go on horseback to marriages and the bride and bridegroom rode on the same horse going home. During the wedding the strawboys arrive. There is generally about twelve or thirteen strawboys in charge of a captain. The captain and his wife walk into the house and wished the bride and bridegroom happiness. Some of the strawboys used to be dressed in womens clothes. They used to have straw tied round their heads and their faces covered They used also have straw tied round their waists and their feet and hands. Each of them was kown by a number and they sang and danced and the captain made a speech. If they were not treated kindly they did some harm when they were going home.
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. social activities (~7)
        1. rites of passage (~573)
          1. marriage (~4,283)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Thomas Noonan
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Aghagower, Co. Mayo