Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/265

 CONNEMARA FOLK-LORE.

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HILE the woman is sick no stranger must take anything out of the house, especially a coal of fire, or the woman will die or become a cripple, or meet with some other great affliction. Beggars and others coming to the house for anything are at once sent away: they would not have come to the place if they knew that a woman was sick. The child, the moment it is born, is spit on by the midwife. It should be christened the first mass after it is born, and should be called after the name of the saint whose day is nearest to its birth. As there are two Lady's days in the year, more girls are called Mary than any other name; while, as Michaels are so numerous, more boys seem to be born near his day than in any other time of the year. If boys are born near a double saint's day, such as St. Peter's and Saint Paul's, they should have both names, except in the case of twins, when one should be called Peter and the other Paul. I do not know how they manage in other cases of twins. If a child just born sneezes it will live; if it has a caul the latter is a charm against a number of diseases. Any one coming to see the child should bring a present, usually an egg or a pat of butter or some such trifle, and should say, "God save you!" and spit on it. Those who do not do so bring it bad luck. If born at midnight it ought to be sprinkled with holy water every night and watched for seven days, lest it may be changed by the "good people." If a child is an idiot, especially if a boy, it brings good luck. Many instances are given of people being quite poor before an idiot came, while afterwards they became suddenly rich. Three children at a birth bring luck.

No stranger should take anything out of a house, but especially fire, while milk is being churned, as they will take away the butter.