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FROM 1750 - 1830 > BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS
 
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  Cockfighting
Cockfighting was popular on special holidays. Birds fought until one died.
 
  Sweat House
A sweat house, like this example from Co. Derry, had a narrow entrance. Once a big turf fire had been lit those suffering from ‘pains’ ...
 
  Holy Wells
Certain wells and loughs were considered to have magical healing powers. At special times of the year pilgrims would visit established ...
 
  Blacksmith’s Cures
Charms were popular with rural people. The most popular cure for warts was to dip the hand into the blacksmith’s cooling trough.
 
  Hunting the Wren
On Boxing Day young men hunted the wren in the south and west of Ireland. Once caught and killed, the ‘wrenboys’, often wearing masks, ...
 
  Christmas Rhymers
Mummers plays were popular at Christmas as the mummers moved from house to house. In some parts of Ulster the mummers were known as ...
 
  Halloween
Bonfires were also lit at Halloween and fruit and nuts were served in a variety of ways.
 
  Midsummer Eve
People believed that on the eve of Midsummer (21 June) there was evil around and so they lit large bonfires to scare away this evil. As ...
 
  May Eve
May 1st was the May Festival and on May Eve it was believed that fairies and witches came out. To guard against witches people collected ...
 
  St. Brigid’s Cross
February 1st was St. Brigid’s Day. Families made these crosses from rushes and set them above the door of their houses believing that ...
 
 
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