Month: July 2020

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Killeeneen – 1900

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0033, Page 0362
National Folklore Collection, UCD.
There was a meeting held in Killeeneen commemorating Raftery’s death about 1900. It was held in a field named “Caol Beag ” near the Killeeneen dance hall. There were two meetings before that near Killeeneen graveyard but they were not as important as the last one. Some of the attendants were Dr. Doughlas Hyde, the President now. Lady Gregory of Coole Castle within a half a mile of Gort. W.B. Yeats the famous writer. Mr Martyn (?) of Tylera. Mrs Costello of Tuam. All Loughrea’s nobility. Terry Furey who held the candles at Raftery’s burial. Eamon Kent who was exececuted in 1916 played the bagpipes. The Late Dr. P Cawley and Mr H. Walsh. The Chairman was Fr. McDonough P.P. Clarinbridge. They had Irish speeches, dance, songs and Irish story telling. It was a very enjoyable day and lots of people were sorry they had not more meetings.

Told by John O’Loughnan, aged 71 to Mary Kate Kelly, Caherdine, Craughwell

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Lore of olden days – 1937/38

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond
Photo: EO'D
Photo: EO’D

Collected by Kathleen Fallon,Clochar na Trocaire, Kinvara from Patrick Fallon, Carpenter, aged 57
There is not a district in Ireland that has not certain days and dates for different things. On Friday people who wash clothes are supposed to be unlucky for the rest of the day. Friday is cross day round the district of Kinvara. To keep crosses away from them during the day the people when they rise, make the sign of the cross on the door three times.
The farmers say that Friday is a very lucky day to sow seed and if they have not time to sow them on Friday they throw a handful of seed on the ground. It is said that if a person cries on his birthday he will be crying for the year. People say that it is very unlucky for ships to leave the harbour on may day for the sea is rough on that day and storms usually occur on that day.
The farmers have a superstition that it they have not their potatoes sown on the first week of April they will rot, if they are sown after the first week (sic.). People say that Tuesday and Friday are very lucky days for changing to a new house. People say that it a person moves into a new house on Saturday that he will not remain there long.
People say it is very unlucky to go near water during Whit week. When rain occurs on a Friday is is noted that the following Sunday is always wet. It is said that a person suffering from sore feet can be cured on the eight of September and on the fifteenth of August. If fain falls on St. Swithen’s day is is said that the rain will fall for forty days and forty night.

The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0049, Page 0147