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Category Archives: Folk traditions
May Day flowers
Today is May Day. For many people it’s International Workers’ Day, but it’s also the ancient spring festival of Bealtaine, celebrated during my childhood as the beginning of an entire month dedicated to Mary. And even though I’m living in … Continue reading
Posted in Around the world, Folk charms, Folk traditions, Folklore, Ireland, Irishness
Tagged Bealtaine, fairies, May altars, May Day, May flowers
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Leprechauns in Adelaide for Saint Patrick’s Day 2021
I had started writing something completely different in preparation for 17 March and then I found the object pictured below. Isn’t it perfect? It was in an op shop, in a dusty plastic bag. It cost me $3.99. Which may … Continue reading
Posted in Folk traditions, Ireland, Irishness, Material culture, South Australia
Tagged folklore, leprechauns, pot of gold, Saint Patrick’s Day
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Culchie Day in the big city
Today is 8 December. It’s a holy day of obligation, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and when I was a child it was a day off school. Traditionally, this was the day that the country people went to Dublin … Continue reading
Posted in Around the world, Folk traditions, Ireland, Irishness
Tagged Christmas, Culchie Christmas Shopping Day, Culchie Day, Dublin, jackeens, Santa Claus, Santy, Switzers
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Turnip carving? It must be Halloween
I’ve written before about Halloween, citing a spine-tingling poem and stories of children stolen by the good people. I loved this time as a child, that feeling of uncertainty, that strange things could happen on this one night when the … Continue reading
Bonfires and St John’s Eve
Yesterday, 23 June, was St John’s Eve, which was traditionally celebrated in Ireland with large bonfires across the countryside. Hence its other name, Bonfire Night. June in Ireland is the height of summer, and the long twilight would be a … Continue reading
Posted in Baker's Flat, Folk traditions, Folklore, Ireland, Irishness, Kapunda, South Australia
Tagged Baker's Flat, bonfires, fertility, Irish folk traditions, St John's Eve
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