From: "Brian" To: Subject: A very Irish Easter, an ODochartaigh-forever newsletter special Date: Friday, April 18, 2003 10:28 PM ODochartaigh Forever A special Easter edition. A modern tradition that is hard to match: One of the many thing I have come across in my studies is the how difficult it is to find something that covers our Christian Faith when it comes to our Irish heritage. In the past newsletters we have covered the Irish Christmas Traditions. One of the subjects I have little knowledge about are the Easter Traditions of our ancestors. Here I will attempt to share what I have found. You all are welcome to share how you celebrate easter in you're area. Also, how do you plan to celebrate this holiday? Please share with us all with a reply to this message! How to have a Blessed, Irish Easter Author: Lianne Bruynell Lopes Published on: April 13, 2001 Irish Easter begins, as do most Irish seasonal celebrations, with cleansing. Houses are to be cleaned inside and out, and whitewashed if necessary. As is the custom in the United States and many other places around the world, it is a time to purchase new clothing. Good Friday is a day of remembrance, for it is the day when the innocent Lord Jesus was crucified. There should be no work done in the fields, but only work on the house, preferably inside. No blood is to be shed, no hammering of nails, and no wood working, for to do so would be to equal oneself with the Roman soldiers who nailed the hands and feet of the Savior onto the wood of the cross. Fasting more than usual is a must. There must be absolute silence from noon until around three in the afternoon, for that was the time of the Lord's greatest agony on the cross. After a visit to church, Good Friday is a day for visiting graveyards and holy wells. There is to be no fishing done on this day, at least not with nets, boats or fishing lines. The evening meal is to be made of sea food, but that which can be gathered on the shore...shell fish, sea weed and such. To prevent headaches throughout the coming year, one must cut his or her hair, and also trim fingernails and toe nails. Despite the memory of the death of God's Son, it is a blessed day for life, for in His death, the Son brought life to any who would seek it. A baby born on Good Friday and baptized on Easter Sunday is believed to have special healing powers. If a son, he should go into the ministry. Even eggs hatched on this day will be sure to produce healthy chicks. Unhatched eggs gathered should be marked with a cross, and eaten by the family on Easter Sunday. Easter Saturday is a little less heavy. Some water should be taken to be blessed, and three sips taken of the now "Holy water" by each member of the family. With what is left, everything in the house should be sprinkled for blessings in the year to come. Easter Sunday is the big day, the day everyone has been waiting for. On this day, Jesus rose from the dead, and all is joy. Everyone must rise early, before the sunrise, as did the ladies who went to the tomb to tend to the slain Savior's body. But just as the sun rises in the sky, so did the Lord rise from the dead, and the ladies did not find his body there as they had expected. Even the sun seems to dance with joy for the return to life of his Creator. Children and adults alike will take a pail of water and watch the reflection of the sun, then jiggle it so the water moves, making the sun appear to dance. After the sunrise (or Sonrise as many Christians refer to it) ceremony, it is time for worship in church, and then the festivities. Butchers, who for the long days of lent have gone through some slow business, will often hold a mock funeral for a herring. This is symbolic of the end of lent, the end of abstinence, and the return to eating meat. A day of great joy for butchers. They have a procession where they might whip the herring, but whatever they do, it involves this poor doomed fish. The egg, being a symbol of life and new birth, spring and the raising from the dead of the Lord Jesus, plays an important part in the celebrations on this day. Children can boil and paint them. They can be given away, eaten, rolled in a race to see which one can go the farthest, and of course, the well known egg hunt where they are hidden and the children set out to find them. Another Irish custom is to have the children gather raw eggs, then cook or roast them in a special contraption built at the edge of their farm. This ritual is called a cluideog (cludog). All egg shells must be saved to place around the May bush. Easter Sunday, as mentioned above, is the day when lent comes to an end. The Savior has risen, and there is no longer need for mourning and sacrifice. It is a time to celebrate. It is time to feast. Beef is the meat of choice. And then there is the cake dance. The best dancer wins the cake. As the day winds down, everyone heads for a "Sunday" well and a big bonfire is lit. With any such gathering in Ireland, you can be sure there will be plenty of fun and story telling. Then it's time to go home and go to bed. After all, tomorrow is Monday and life goes back to normal. Celtic Christianity Author: Lianne Bruynell Lopes Published on: November 9, 2001 Celtic crosses can be seen all over the Irish countryside, as proud sentinels guarding churches, as grave markers, and in some places, as stand alone monuments to some Irish saint. The Celtic cross is unique, and a beautiful symbol of Christianity in Ireland. Before the coming of Christianity, the celts ruled the Emerald Isle. They were a pagan group who worshiped the sun as a deity. The symbol of the sun was a disk, often with rays shooting from the center. However, when Christian missionaries took the Gospel to Ireland, rather than brutally stamping out all common symbolism, they Christianized them. They took pagan beliefs and showed the people Christian truths. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took the place of the sun god. His symbol, the cross, was added to the sun disk to form what we now recognize as the Celtic cross. Christianity, although not readily accepted at first, (as seen by the failure of St. Palladius whose ministry predated St. Patrick's) eventually swept Ireland like a storm. The Celts, passionate people in whatever endeavor they undertook, eventually embraced Christianity with a fervor not often seen in other parts of Europe. Monasteries, churches, and seminaries soon popped up all over the land as more and more people turned from their pagan ways. The Irish Celts so embraced Christianity, they eventually became great world missionaries. St. Columba, who founded the monastery at Iona in Scotland, is one example of this, but there were many others. Heresies that rocked the Christian church during the fifth and sixth centuries did not take root in the Celtic church, in Ireland or elsewhere in the British Isles. This is attributed in part to the geographic distance of the British Isles from the mainland. But it could well have been because of the fervor of the Celtic Christians to keep to the Biblical truths they had learned. When the Saxons invaded Britain c. 450 AD, Celtic Christianity was almost wiped out in England, and relegated to a few places in Wales and the north of Britain. But the church in Ireland remained strong. In the coming centuries, at a time in Western European history that has been called the Dark Ages, Ireland remained a light, not only of Christian beliefs, but of history and literature as well. The Celts have been credited with being the main preservers of culture and literature of the western world after the fall of Rome. One particularly interesting piece of Celtic literature is the Book of Kells. This is a famous illuminated manuscript containing the four gospels. Attributed to St. Columba, the manuscript has been dated at a later age, around the seventh or eighth century, and is believed to be the painstaking work of Irish scribes. Beautiful drawings in the typically Celtic design, embellish the margins. "Some of the most accomplished of modern draughtsmen have attempted to copy its elaborate designs, but, such is the delicacy of the execution, that they had to abandon the task as hopeless."** The Book of Kells can be seen today at the library of Trinity College in Dublin. The Celtic church produced many notable Christians, now revered as saints. There are many, but among them are: St. Brigit, St. Columba, St. Brendan, and the several different Saints Kieran. (St. Patrick, it should be noted, was the one who took the gospel to the Irish, and therefore not a product of the Irish church.) Bonfire Customs of the Isle of Ireland Perhaps it all started with warmth and light in the darkness but it has lead to many diverse celebrations. Providing bonfires was a mark of status partaking of them was a delight of the people. First they may have been gifts of the powerful to the powerless. Later they were taken over by the ancient religion to mark the seasons and clean up bad weeds and infected plants and to clean livestock. Then the Christian church adopted them for the new series of holidays. Easter: "Sometimes the outdoor amusements on the Sunday included the lighting of a bonfire, but this appears to have come from the high spirits of the young people and to have no connection with Easter Saturday's Paschal fire."- Danaher p.81. May and May Bushes: "Closely associated with the May bushes were bonfires. This was especially the case in Dublin, where great fires were lit, around which the revelers caroused. Elaborate preparations were made for these too. Thus Wilde:"Turf,coals, old bones, particularly slugs of cow's horns from the tan yards, and horses' heads from the knackers, logs of wood etc. were also collected, to which some of the merchants generally added a few pitch and tar-barrels. Money was solicited to "moisten the clay" of the revelers; for, whether from liking, or from fear, or considering it unlucky, few ventured to refuse to contribute "something toste de May bush." The ignitable materials were formed in depots, in back-yards, and cellars of old houses, long before the approaching festival;and several sorties were made by opposing factions to gain possession of these hoards, and lives have been lost in the skirmishes which ensued. In Dublin the bonfires were always lighted upon the evening of May Day, and generally in the vicinity of the May bush. the great fire was, as we already mentioned, at the lower end of the Coombe; but there were also fires in the centre and at the top of that classic locality. The weavers had their fire in Weaver's Square; the hatters and piipemakers in the upper end of Jame's Street; and the neighbourhood of St. John's Well, near Kilmainham, beside Bully's Acre, generally exhibited a towering blaze. Upon the north side of the city, the best fire blazed in Smithfield. With exception of one ancient rite, that of throwing into it the May bush, there were but few Pagan ceremonies observed at the metropolitan fires. A fast crowd collected, whiskey was distributed galore both to those who had, and had not, gathered the morning's dew. The entire population of the district collected round the bush and the fire; the elder portion, men and women, bringing with them chairs or stools, to sit out the wake of the winter and spring, according to the olden usage. The best singers in the crowd lilted up, "The Night before Larry was stretched", or His for de Sweet Libertie"; but the then popular air of "The Baiting of Lord Altham 's Bull", and "De May bush"; and another local song of triumphal commemoration of a victory over the Ormand market men a verse of which we remember: Begone, ye cowardly scoundrels, Do you remember de day, Dat yes came down to Newmarket And stole de sweet May bush away? were the "most pop[ular and deservedly admired",, from their allusion to the season and the locality. Fiddlers and pipers plied their fingers and elbows; and dancing, shouting, revelry and debauchery of every description succeeded, till, at an advanced hour of the night, the scene partook more of the nature of the ancient Saturnalia, than anything we can at present liken it to, except that which a London mob mow exhibits the night preceding an execution in the Old Bailey or at Horsemonger Lane Gaol. " There are traditions from many areas to show that the lighting of bonfires on May Eve was common and widespread, but this custom has almost entirely died out. In limerick city May Eve is still "Bonfire Night" and until recently children in Belfast lit small fires in the side streets in honour of their "May queens" The rural custom survived longest, perhaps, in the south east, where in County Waterford and in the southern fringes of Counties Kilkenny and Tipperary there are still memories of the cattle being driven through small fires or between pairs of fires, of wisps or coals from the bonfire being used to singe the cow's hair or to bless the fields of growing crops."- Danaher pp. 95-6 Midsummer: There are many bonfire customs associated with Midsummer celebrations. Generally the dates celebrated are 23 June- St. John's Eve which is sometimes called Bonfire Night. It is known in gaelic as: Oiche an teine chanáimh or Teine Féil Eóin. The fire must be lit exactly on sunset and must be watched till the next morning. The fire and its ashes brought blessings on to the crops. Fires were made to be circular in form- a holy shape. Music, dancing and games were popular along with feats of strength. Bonfires were set close to the graveyard and or holy well. Fires were made from turf, furze bushes and other firewood. Troublesome weeds were also burned. Demons were exorcised. The first fires of new homes were kindled from the bonfire. Fires lit from the bonfire were lit around houses to keep fairies away. Items were burned so as to inflict loss on an enemy. Fires were both communal and individual. Bonfires were so large that tall ladders were required for their construction. Begging for fuel was popular with those who refused being tormented. It was said that Protestant bones were burned on hilltop bonfires. There was competition to have the biggest and best fire. The fires were lit during the recitation of a prayer: " In the honour of God and of St. Hohn, to the fruitfulness and profit of our planting and our work, in the name of the Father and of the Sone and of the Holy Spirit, Amen". All ages took part. Walking sunwise around the fire while praying was considered essential. Youths would toss burning sticks up into the air. Sometimes effigies were tossed on the fire. Food including a special dish called "goody" made of white shop bread soaked in milk and flavoured with sugar and spice was made in Iron pots by the side of the fire. Children collected money in advance of the fire which they spent on sweets. The fire was usually blessed with holy water. Jumping over the fire was a sign of bravery but it also would bring good luck in deeds and in marriage. SSPeter and Paul: Celebrated with bonfires in the East of Ireland from Monaghan to Wexford on June 28. Men stay up and make fires in the streets. Bonfires were accompanied by singing and dancing. 12th of July: In celebration of the liberation of Ireland from the grasp of the absolutist king James II bonfires are lit throughout Northern Ireland on the night of the 11th of July to commemorate the victory of William III at the Battle of the Boyne. Food is cooked, and there is storytelling and music from the Lambeg drums.To read more of this bonfire tradition click here. July Hiltop Gatherings:"On the last Sunday in July the people of Mountrath Trumera, and the surrounding districts go on the slieve Bloom Mountains, on to the slopes of Ard Erin. They bring with them food, and spend the day on the mountain." "There are all kinds of games and trials of strength and in the evening they kindle big fires, and the young men run races round the fires, and the more daring of them leap over the fires. In this district, this Sunday is called Height Sunday."- Danaher, p.170. Samhain (Oct.31): "There are traditions of the lighting of bonfires. In his Irish Folk Lore, 218 "Lageniensis" speaks of this custom as already obsolete. "Bonfires were formerly kindled at this time, as well as at midsummer. When the embers had partially burned out, those who assembled were accustomed to cast them about in various directions, or sometimes at each other, with no slight danger to those who were not skillful in parrying or escaping from the burning brands. Among men and boys this was regarded as an amusement only, however dangerous it might prove to individuals; but it is thought to have been connected with former Druidic or Gentile incantations. The high streets or market squares of towns and villages, or fair greens and cross roads in the country places, were usually selected for kindling this Samhain pile" The custom, however, still is to be found in places and particularly in Dublin City, as is shown by this newspaper report, in The Sunday Press, 1 Nov. 1970:"Halloween provided one of the busiest nights this year for Dublin firemen last night, Gardai spent several hours touring the city keeping bonfires under control and preventing youths and children taking materials from business premises for the firs. "Between 6 P.M. and 8:30 P.M. Dublin Fire Brigade headquarters handled more than 120 calls from the public and Gardai to deal with bonfires out of control. At one stage 10 units were on continuous bonfire duty. " "The Gardai had their share of work. Youths took tires from premises in Leinster Street and the East Wall for bonfires. Children left crackers on roads to be detonated by passing cars."- Danaher p. 209 Guy Fawkes Day: In the past decades this holiday was also celebrated in Ulster. The 5th of November celebrations marked the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 but also the arrival of William of Orange. (William III). Click here to read more about this custom. -Source: Danaher,Kevin,.The Year in Ireland.,Mercier Press, Dublin 1972