Category Archives: Folk traditions

Turnip carving? It must be Halloween

Posted on October 28, 2020 by

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 →

Posted in Folk traditions, Halloween, Ireland, Irishness, South Australia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bonfires and St John’s Eve

Posted on June 24, 2019 by

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 , , , ,

We’re building a wall and adding a foundation deposit

Posted on October 14, 2018 by

So, we like gardening, although we’re often neglectful and the plants that thrive do so because they’re hardy.  This weekend’s project, in which I played a minor role, was to build a three-course curved wall around the fence that holds … Continue reading →

Posted in Excavation, Folk traditions, Foundation deposits, Ireland, Irishness, Material culture, South Australia | Tagged , , , ,

A short visit to Z Ward

Posted on August 12, 2018 by

It was a cold and wintry afternoon in Adelaide today. What better time to visit an old lunatic asylum? For nearly 90 years, Z Ward was home to the ‘criminally insane’ patients of South Australia’s health system. Opened in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Folk traditions, South Australia | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

St Dymphna’s, Booborowie

Posted on April 10, 2018 by

At the weekend, it was my great privilege to drive to Booborowie for the decommissioning of St Dymphna’s Catholic Church. It’s not every day one gets to go to the deconsecration of a church, and in fact, this was my first. … Continue reading →

Posted in Around the world, Folk traditions, Ireland, South Australia | Tagged , , | 2 Comments