Folklore of Ireland

31 October

Folklore from the old calendars

Burning the Nuts Lore and belief England, Ireland, ScotlandOn Hallowe'en a pair of nuts was named for a lad and a lass and laid in the fire.
Lamb’s-wool on Holy Eve No longer kept IrelandA writer in the Gentleman's Magazine said that no merry-making on Holy Eve in Ireland was without lamb's-wool, made by bruising roasted apples into ale or sometimes milk; in better houses white wine had once been used instead.
New hearth fire from Tlachtga No longer kept Ireland, LeinsterOn the eve of the first of November every household in Ireland was said to put out its fire and fetch a portion of the Arch-druid's consecrated fire from Tlachtga in Meath to kindle the hearth anew.
Oidhche Shamhna No longer kept IrelandOn the eve of Samhain, according to General Vallancey, Irish country people went from house to house carrying sticks and clubs, collecting money, bread, butter, cheese and eggs for the feast and reciting verses.
Sowing Hemp-seed No longer kept Ireland, ScotlandOn Hallowe'en a girl crept out unseen and sowed a handful of hemp-seed, dragging something behind her to harrow it in, and saying a rhyme over and over.
The Blue Clue No longer kept Ireland, ScotlandOne of the Hallowe'en spells Burns described among the country people of the west of Scotland had to be tried alone and in the dark.
The Leinster Hallowe’en Spell Lore and belief LeinsterChambers printed a story from a Leinster family of the eighteenth century.
The Wet Sark Sleeve No longer kept Ireland, ScotlandIn the Scottish form of this Hallowe'en spell the seeker dipped the left shirt sleeve in a south-running burn where the lands of three lairds met.

Folklore of Ireland

31 October

23 November

25 November

26 December

27 December, not tied to the day

28 December, not tied to the day

31 December

5 January

18 January, not tied to the day

26 January, not tied to the day

31 January

2 February

3 February, not tied to the day

Shrove Tuesday

2 March, not tied to the day

Image credits