Summary: Festivals
Key dates:
There were a number of great festivals, most of which were older than Christianity and were linked to superstitions and pagan beliefs. Two of the best known were May Day and St Brigid’s Day. The greatest popular festival was Lughnasa held on 1st August. This marked the beginning of the harvest and the enjoyment of the first fruits of the new crop. Some people gathered on hill tops and others made pilgrimages to sites such as Croagh Patrick or to holy wells.
Sporting activities and faction fighting were common. Ball games, especially hurling were played. Football was found only in Fingal. Rounders was also popular. Folk songs and dancing were enjoyed; the latter introduced by the Normans. About this time, wakes began to be held.
|
