Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for IRELAND returned 68 results.
FUNERALS IN IRELAND WERE CONSIDERED TO BE FESTIVE
OCCASIONS. THEY HAD A BIG PARTY FOR THE DECEASED.
THEY STOOD THE DECEASED IN A CORNER IN HIS COFFIN SO
THAT HE COULD WATCH THE PROCEEDINGS AND THEY EVEN
DANCED WITH HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND ARE KNOWN FOR SOME UNUSUAL
DEATH CUSTOMS. JUST BEFORE A BURIAL THE BODY OF THE
DECEASED WOULD BE LAID OUT IN HIS BEDROOM. EACH
PERSON VISITING HIM WOULD REMARK: "THE ONLY HARM
HE EVER DID IN HIS LIFE WAS TO HIMSELF; HE WAS A
GOOD MAN." FROM THERE THEY WOULD PROCEED TO THE
KITCHEN WHERE A TABLE FULL OF FOOD AND DRINK WAS
SET UP. THEY PROCEEDED TO EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY
BEFORE THE ACTUAL BURIAL.
Submitter comment: FROM MY PARENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-20-1969
IRISH CUSTOM
IN KERRY, WHEN YOU MEET A FUNERAL, YOU BLESS YOURSELF
THREE TIMES, THEN YOU TURN ROUND AND WALK THREE STEPS
WITH THE HEARSE. IN DOING THIS, YOU WALK DEATH OFF
YOUR PATH AND YOU ADD LIFE TO YOUR YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
FAIR DAY IS THE MARKET DAY IN BANTRY (IRELAND?)
AND ALSO A GREAT DAY FOR DRINKING AND FIGHTING.
EVERY MAN CARRIES A SHILLELAGH (A STICK) AND WOE
BE TO YOU IF YOU WEREN'T WELL LIKED!
Submitter comment: CELEBRATED EVERY FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
Date learned: 11-18-1970
IN IRELAND, A PERSON WAS THE CHIEF OF THE CLAN UNTIL
HE WAS DEPOSED BY HIS SON, BY BEATING HIS FATHER IN A
SWORD FIGHT IN WHICH ONE OF THEM WAS KILLED. OR
BY HIS ELDEST SON WHEN THE CHIEF DIED.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HIS DAD IN 1964-65, BUT
THE TRADITION GOES BACK TO BEFORE THE MIDDLE AGES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 10-15-1970
THERE IS A WEDDING CUSTOM IN COUNTY KERRY, IRELAND WHEN
"STRAWBOYS" CRASH IN ON THE WEDDING PARTY AND TRY TO
STEAL THE GROOM. A "STRAWBOY" HAS TO BE A BACHELOR, AND
MUST WEAR A STRAW HAT. THE "STRAWBOYS" STEAL THE GROOM
AND HIDE HIM IN A STACK OF STRAW MANY MILES AWAY FROM
THE BRIDE AND THE PARTY. A GOOD STRAWBOY MANAGES TO GET
AWAY WITHOUT BEING LICKED BY THE BRIDE'S BROTHERS AND
RELATIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT CERTAIN COUNTIES IN IRELAND DO
NOT EMPLOY THE USE OF CONVENTIONAL WEDDING CEREMONIES
AND RINGS. IN GALLOWAY, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PRIEST
HAS A SPECIAL BLESSING FOR A COUPLE WHO GETS MARRIED.
THE COUPLE EXCHANGE WHAT ARE CALLED "CLATTER RINGS."
EACH RING DEPICTS THE HANDS OF THE BLESSED MOTHER
HOLDING A HEART OF GOLD. THESE ARE THE CUSTOMARY
WEDDING RINGS IN THAT AREA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Wedding ring |
Date learned: 11-15-1969
IN IRELAND, THE IRISH CUSTOM IN ADVENT, IS TO HAVE A
BOWL OF STRAW AND A MANGER SCENE. WHEN A GOOD DEED IS
PERFORMED, THE PERSON TAKES A PIECE OF STRAW AND PUTS
IT IN THE CRIB. THE OBJECT AND THOUGHT IS TO MAKE THE
CRIB AS SOFT AS POSSIBLE FOR THE INFANT JESUS
Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; IRELAND
Keyword(s): MANGER
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Manger scenes CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
ST. STEPHEN'S DAY -- DECEMBER 26
ST. STEVEN'S (SIC) DAY WAS A MEMORABLE DAY IN IRELAND. IT'S
SOMETHING LIKE OUR HALLOWEEN, ONLY ADULTS AND TEENS PARTICIPATED
IN IT. THEY CAME TO EVERY HOUSE AND SANG:
THE WREN, THE WREN, THE KING OF ALL THE BIRDS,
ST. STEVEN'S DAY HE WAS CAUGHT IN THE FURZE.
ALTHOUGH HE IS LITTLE, HIS FAMILY IS GREAT.
I PRAY YOU YOUNG LADY TO GIVE US A TRAIT (TREAT)
SING HOLLY, SING WY, SING WY, SING HOLLY
TO KEEP A BAD CHRISTMAS IT IS BUT A FOLLY
FOR CHRISTMAS COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR
AND WHEN IT COMES IT BRINGS GOOD CHEER.
THE PEOPLE OFTEN CARRIED WRENS THAT THEY CAUGHT THE DAY BEFORE
ON A STICK AS THEY WENT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE THAT NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
CONKERS
TAKE A CHESTNUT, BORE A HOLE THROUGH IT; TAKE A
STRING AND TIE IT THROUGH.
EACH OPPONENT HAS TO TRY AND SMASH THE OTHER MAN'S
CHESTNUT WITHOUT CRACKING HIS OWN.
Submitter comment: NEW FAD IN IRELAND, FALL OF 1971
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
THIS GAME, CALLED COMMON, WAS PLAYED BY INFORMANT
IN HIS NATIVE IRELAND AS A BOY. IT CONSISTS OF A
TYPE OF RACKET MADE FROM A TREE LIMB (INFORMANT
STATES IT MUST HAVE THE RIGHT SIZE AND SHAPE) AND A
BALL CALLED A "GUTTY." THIS GUTTY CAME FROM A PART
OF AN OLD SHOE. THE GAME ITSELF CONSISTS OF KNOCKING
THIS BALL BACK AND FORTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 02-00-1970
ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY, OUR FAMILY SAYS THE WORD, "LUCK,"
AFTER EVERY SENTENCE. IF WE FORGET TO SAY IT, AND SOMEONE
CATCHES US, WE MUST WHISTLE AND TURN AROUND IN A CIRCLE
FOR ONE MINUTE. "MY MOTHER'S FRIEND, FROM THE STATES,
STARTED THIS IN HER FAMILY. SHE VISITED US WHEN I WAS
VERY YOUNG AND STARTED THIS TRADITION IN OUR FAMILY."
Submitter comment:
I MET CONNOR AT A HOTEL I STAYED AT IN IRELAND. THERE
WAS A HUGE PARTY GOING ON AT THE HOTEL BAR WHERE I MET
HIM. I THOUGHT HIS TRADITION WAS FUNNY BECAUSE IT
SEEMS LIKE A TRADITION THAT WOULD BE STARTED IN IRELAND,
NOT THE UNITED STATES. I"LL NEVER FORGET WHEN HE
REFERRED OT THE UNITED STATES AS, "THE STATES."
Where learned: IRELAND ; LIMERICK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 17 Feast of St. Patrick |
RAIN AT A WEDDING BRINGS BAD LUCK, RAIN AT A
FUNERAL BRINGS GOOD LUCK.
HAPPY IS THE BRIDE THAT THE SUN SHINES ON;
HAPPY IS THE CORPSE THAT THE RAIN POURS ON.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD. SHE
WAS BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND.
Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage Superstition about good weather BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Good luck Activities |
Date learned: 02-19-1967
IN IRELAND IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE COUNTY FAIR AND ON
YOUR WAY YOU CHANCE TO SEE A REDHEAD, YOU WILL RETURN
HOME AT ONCE AND NOT GO TO THE FAIR, FOR IT WOULD
BE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS FROM MY IRISH ROOMMATE WHEN I WAS IN
SCHOOL IN DUBLIN LAST YEAR. THE GIRL I HEARD IT FROM
WAS FROM THE WEST OF IRELAND AND BELIEVED IN THE
SUPERSTITION.
Where learned: IRELAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Activities |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
IF YOU ARE GOING SOMEWHERE AND HAVE FORGOTTEN
SOMETHING, DO NOT GO BACK TO GET IT. LEAVE IT
BEHIND, FOR IF YOU DO GO BACK TO GET IT, IT WILL
BRING BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
SHE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND.
Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Leaving Entering Returning home Travel |
Date learned: 02-19-1967
IT IS UNLUCKY TO DROP SOMETHING ON YOUR WEDDING DAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD. SHE
WAS BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND.
Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck Crucial moment of life |
Date learned: 02-19-1967
CELTIC CROSS
AT GLENDALOUGH, IRELAND THERE IS AN OLD MONASTARY WITH A
CELTIC CROSS IN FRONT OF IT. IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF
YOU ARE ABLE TO PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND THE CROSS AND YOUR
FINGERS TOUCH, YOUR PRAYER WILL COME TRUE.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.13 |
Date learned: 12-01-1969
IF YOU ACCEPT SOMETHING SHARP AS A GIFT FROM SOMEONE
YOU MUST PAY THEM A PENNY FOR THE PRESENT TO AVOID
A FIGHT WITH THAT PERSON. IF YOU DON'T, IT WILL
CUT OFF THE FRIENDSHIP.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MALONY LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD. SHE
WAS BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND.
Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck P881.18 |
Date learned: 02-19-1967
IF YOU SPILL SALT WHILE YOU ARE EATING AT THE TABLE,
YOU WILL FIGHT SOMEONE. IF YOU THROW SOME SALT
OVER YOUR SHOULDER, YOU WILL AVOID THE FIGHT.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MALONY LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD,
BEING RAISED IN IRELAND.
Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Flavoring BELIEF -- Use of Object Food |
Date learned: 02-19-1967
THIS GAME IS PLAYED AT HALLOWEEN IN IRELAND. FOUR
SAUCERS ARE PLACED ON A TABLE. ONE CONTAINS CLAY,
ANOTHER WATER, ANOTHER ROSARY BEADS AND THE FOURTH
ONE CONTAINS A RING. THE PLAYER IS BLINDFOLDED
AND THEN MUST TOUCH A SAUCER. THE ONE HE TOUCHES
IS TO INDICATE HIS FUTURE. CLAY=DEATH; WATER=WILL CROSS
THE OCEAN; ROSARY=RELIGIOUS LIFE; AND RING=MARRIAGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; IRELAND ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Use of Object Occasions Events |
Date learned: 11-00-1970