Senior Notes

by Cora Flood

Lughnasadh/Lúnasa

The ancient Irish Festival of Lughnasadh is celebrated during the month of August. It is one of the four cross quarters of the old Celtic calendar and is proceeded by Bealtaine, Samhain and Imbolc.

In Ireland the first day of August marks the beginning of Autumn and the start of the harvest. There are many traditional themes associated with Lughnasadh.

A special Eucharistic thanksgiving for the first bread of the harvest was a popular Christian practice during the middle ages. Records from the 18^th and 19^th centuries give details of many open air gatherings on hilltops and river banks throughout Ireland. At one point Lughnasadh was widely celebrated throughout Ireland, England, Scotland, Isle of Man, Wales, France, and possibly Northern Spain.

Some traditions associated with the festival that you may remember or heard talked about when you were younger are outlined below:

Potatoes

In some parts of Ireland the nearest Sunday to Lughnasadh was known as “Cally Sunday” It was the traditional day to lift the new potatoes. The man of the house would dig the first stalk, while the woman of the house would put on a new white apron and cook the new potatoes. The kitchen floor would be covered with green rushes in their honor. The family would give thanks the “hungry month of July” was over and the harvest had begun. The first produce of the harvest was used to prepare a celebratory meal. “Colcannon” was made from the first new potatoes.

Fairs

Late July and August are popular times for fairs. Puck Fair in Killorglin in County Kerry is one of the best known. A male goat is crowned as king for three days and is know as “King Puck” The goat symbolizes fertility and good fortune.

The “Old Lammas Fair” takes place in Ballycastle, County Antrim on the last Monday and Tuesday in August. It’s one of the oldest fairs in Ireland and has been held every year without interruption for more than three centuries.

Matchmaking

Lughnasagh was a popular time for matchmaking. Traditionally couples entered into trial marriages for the duration of the fair (usually 11 days). They would agree to part and go their separate ways if they were incompatible.

Berry Picking

Lughnasa Sunday is also known as “Bilberry Sunday” “Froachán Sunday” in many parts of Ireland. It is the tradition to climb the mountainsides or go into the woods to pick bilberries and blackberries.

Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Falls on August 15^th each year. Trips to the coast were popular for the therapeutic value of the sea water. Patterns were held at shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In some countries, the priest blessed the sea and the fishermen on the 15^th August and It was believed that to swim in the sea on this day was to heal illnesses. In Galway there continues the annual blessing of the fishing boats in the Claddagh.

A collaboration of several Irish groups have come together to organize an event to inform the public on the existence of these ancient Celtic traditions and to focus attention on the importance of preserving and promoting them.

On Saturday August 23^rd from 7 PM to midnight. Our gathering will involve Music, Dancing and Food celebrating the old Irish harvest. It will be held at the Irish Cultural Centre, Canton. Suggested donation is $10.00.

For details contact: Maureen Mcnally 4us@yahoo.com

Gobnait Conneely gconneely@iicenter.org

Cora Flood (617) 479 7404