Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 5, 1894.djvu/202

194 glad of all the assistance that they can get. It is a most pleasing feature to see how entirely this mutual help is given. In the case of the landlord, word is passed round, generally by the overseer, that Mr. So-and-So's hay is to be got in, and he'd be glad if this man and that man would come. No one is compelled to come, and no money is offered or asked for, the day being called a "Thank-you Day". Early on the morning of the day selected, men arrive, some with carts, others only with forks. They are given breakfast and dinner, and, when all is completed, the day is finished up with a dance in the kitchen.

The gathering is known as a Meitheal (pron. mĕ-hel), which means a body of men brought together for work, more especially harvesting.

15th September (Lasser Day).—Pilgrimages are made to a holy well at Kilronan, in co. Roscommon, called Lasser (pronounced Losser) Well. For a month before these are in progress, and terminate this day, the nearest Sunday to the 15th September being the best attended nowadays, as a special train is put on for the purpose to Arigna, from whence the well is about three miles. The pilgrimages are generally in fulfilment of a vow made during the previous year, when sickness is on you, or when you are troubled with toothache. They are discountenanced by the clergy as much as possible, and in order to show how little the saints had to do with the place, one of the Roman Catholic Bishops is said to have cast the dust off his feet into the well. That night, so the folk say, lights were seen round the well, and the most heartrending sounds proceeded therefrom, which were interpreted to mean the dismay of the evil spirits at the defeat of their schemes. The attendance at the "pattern" in 1893 was, however, fully up to the average.

31st October (Hallowe'en, or more generally Holly-eve).—This night still holds its own against the incoming tide of "civilisation", and many are the tales of the doings of the "good people" thereon.