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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. |
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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’ ... |
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Holy Wells Certain wells and loughs were considered to have magical healing powers. At special times of the year pilgrims would visit established ... |
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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. |
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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, ... |
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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 ... |
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Halloween Bonfires were also lit at Halloween and fruit and nuts were served in a variety of ways. |
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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 ... |
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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 ... |
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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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