Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 5, 1894.djvu/200

 192 Lela7id L. Duncan.

unlucky day to pay for anything with money, but it is considered lucky to have a present of money on this day.

6tJi January {Tzvelfth NigJif). — On this night a piece of board is covered with cow-dung, and twelve rush-lights are stuck therein. These are sprinkled with ash at the top, to make them light easily, and then set alight, each being named by someone present, and as each dies so will the life of its owner. A ball is then made of the dung, and it is placed over the door of the cow-house for an increase of cattle. Sometimes mud is used, and the ball placed over the door of the dwelling-house.

27td February (St. Bridget's Day). — On this night it was the custom to make a wide plaited cross of rushes and place it over the inside of the door of the dwelling-house. This has fallen into disuse. St. Bridget is the patron of the parish.

Shrove-tide is called Seraft, and Shrove Tuesday Seraft- Day. It is a favourite time for marriages to take place, being before Lent commences.

Cropping Days. — The Thursday before Lent people used to have their hair cut, and then not again until the last Thursday in Lent. These days were called the Cropping Days.

lyth March {St. Patrick's Day). — On this day pieces of card were covered with bits of bright coloured stuff and called Patrick's crosses. These were worn by children on the right shoulder. The practice is dying out.

1st, 2nd, and yd April {the " Borrozving Days''). — When the 1st of April came the old cow kicked up her heels, and said, " Be hanged to March !" So March borrowed three days from April, and, turning on a bitterly cold wind, shrivelled the old cow up.

Easter Monday. — On this day, until a few years ago, a cake was made by one of the " quality" and given to the people. A churndash having been stuck up in a field, the cake was placed thereon and covered with a white cloth, upon which all the company commenced to dance, and