Year In Ireland

Caoimhín Ó Danachair, also known as Kevin Danaher, was a renowned figure in Irish folklore and ethnology. Born in 1913 in Limerick, Ireland, he distinguished himself as an academic, earning his BA from University College Dublin (UCD) and further honing his expertise in folklore and ethnology in Germany as an Alexander von Humboldt Scholar. His service as a captain in the Irish Defence Forces during World War II added another layer to his multifaceted career. In his professional life, Ó Danachair made significant contributions to the Irish Folklore Commission, particularly in preserving Irish musical traditions and recording the last native speakers of Manx. His academic prowess was further evidenced by his influential role as a lecturer at UCD, where he inspired a generation of students. Ó Danachair was also a prolific author, with many of his important works on Irish folklore published by Mercier Press. His bibliography includes notable titles such as 'In Ireland Long Ago', 'Irish Customs and Beliefs', 'Irish Country People', 'Folktales from the Irish Countryside', 'The Pleasant Land of Ireland', 'The Year in Ireland', 'Foirgneamh na nDaoine: Ireland's Vernacular Architecture', 'A Bibliography of Irish Ethnology and Folk Tradition', 'That's How it Was', and 'The Children's Book of Irish Folktales'. These works are highly regarded for their in-depth exploration and vivid depiction of Irish traditions and folklore. They serve as academic resources and cultural treasures that preserve Ireland's rich heritage for posterity. His personal life was marked by his marriage to Anna Mary Ryan and his role as a father to two sons. Ó Danachair's death in 2002 was a significant loss to the academic and cultural spheres. However, his legacy continues through his contributions to the field of folklore and his efforts to keep Irish culture alive. His final resting place is in St Fintan's Cemetery, Sutton, Dublin, where he lies as a testament to a life dedicated to preserving and celebrating Irish cultural history.

'This is a book written in 1972 on the Irish Calendar customs. It describes how the year, with its cycle of festivals and seasonal work, was observed in Ireland in the 19-20th centuries. The author draws on a wide variety of sources and on more than thirty years of research into Irish Folk traditions.The book gives the reader an idea of how the year was for many of the inhabitants of Ireland that still followed the old traditions. You get the sense of what each strata of the community was up too at which time of the year. The book starts on Saint Brighid’s day and goes all the way to Christmas. It encompasses both Pagan and Christian days and gives the activities associated with the said day. It is a book that you can read in one go at first and then go back too at the appropriate time of year for inspiration.I really enjoyed reading the book because it gave me ideas on things that I could do on my own rituals and celebrations. It gives the sense of the ebb and flow of the year and how the seasons were related to each other and how one activity during a certain time can be related to another in another time. I think it is a must read book for anyone who is interested in following an Irish path of spirituality be it Christian or Pagan.' - The Celtic Scholar

• IntroductionSAINT BRIGHID’S DAY -Saint Brighid’s Crosses - Making the Crosses - The Brideóg - Brat Bride - Crios Bríde - Cattle and Crops - OtherBeliefs and CustomsCANDLEMASSHROVE TUESDAY - Shrovetide WeddingsCHALK SUNDAY - ‘Going to the Skelligs’ - ‘The Ash Bag’ - Sprinkling of Salt - Domhnach na Smuit; ‘Puss Sunday’ - Some other customsASH WEDNESDAYLENTSAINT PATRICK’S DAYLADY DAYPALM SUNDAYEASTER - Good Friday - Easter Saturday - Herring Processions - The Dance of the Sun - Easter Eggs - Feasting - The Cake Dance - Other Easter Beliefs and Customs - Easter MondayAPRIL FOOLS’ DAYTHE BORROWED DAYSMAY DAY- Welcoming the Summer - May Balls - May Dew - Charms and Counter-charms - Health - The Fairies at Maytime - Other May Day Beliefs and CustomsASCENSION THURSDAYWHITSUNTIDECORPUS CHRISTIMIDSUMMERThe Midsummer Fire - Jumping over the Fire - The Family Fire - The Growing Crops - The Cattle at Midsummer - The Dwellinghouse at Midsummer - HerbGathering - Other Midsummer Beliefs and CustomsSS PETER AND PAULTHE TWELFTH OF JULYSAINT SWITHIN’S DAY‘HUNGRY JULY’THE FIRST OF THE HARVEST - Outdoor Gatherings - Gatherings on Hills - Gatherings at Lakes and Rivers - Other Lunasa Customs and Beliefs - Cork Harbour CeremonyTHE ASSUMPTIONSAINT BARTHOLOMEW’S DAYTHE PATTERN DAYMICHAELMASTHE END OF THE HARVEST - The Clousur - Gleaning - The Harvest Home - Harvest Knots - The Disposal of the Last SheafSAMHAIN - Feasting and Merrymaking - Samhain Beliefs and Customs - Hallowe’en Guisers - Games, Dares and Pranks - Weather Divination - Divination Games - Marriage DivinationALL SOULS DAYMARTINMASCHRISTMAS - Preparing for Christmas - Christmas Eve - Christmas Day - Waits - Saint Stephen’s Day - The Mummers - Holy Innocents - New Year - Handsel Monday - EpiphanyAPPENDIX - Church Feasts and FastsBIBLIOGRAPHYINDEX