School: Johnstown (roll number 877)
- Location:
- Baile Sheáin, Co. na Mí
- Teacher: Miss H.C. Hickie
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0687, Page 167
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- Before the custom of taking copses to the church while awaiting burial came into vogue the dead person was waked.
Snuff, pipes food and drink were lavishly dispersed during the nights.She says she believes the last "caoin" was held in Dunshaughlin. An old woman lived on the "Old Road" which is a lane from Kilcarne to Navan paralled to the main Dublin Road.
She had one son who was away "from home in some job or other. The old woman died and being poor was provided with "a poorhouse coffin."
When her son arrived home for the occasion he said he would not allow his mother to be buried in such a mean looking coffin. He provided a more respectable one and left the discarded article outside the door.
The practical jokers of the neighbourhood had some rare fun for a while at the expense of others.
They used to leave it at doorsteps or thrust it into houses enjoying the frights they gave the occupants
- Informant
- Mrs Reilly
- Gender
- Female
- Age
- Over 70
- Address
- Baile an Cheantaigh, Co. na Mí
