Irish Wedding Countdown

History of Irish Wedding Traditions.

The Irish Wedding Guide.

Irish Wedding Tips.

Choosing The Perfect Photographer.

Choosing Your Wedding Reception.

Wedding Sentiments.

Pre Marriage Courses.

Invitations & Stationery.

Transports of delight.

Fashion Sense.

Have Your Cake and Eat it.

Registry Office Weddings.

Attire.

Getting Married in Ireland.

Health & Well Being.

Exotic Honeymoons.

Irish Wedding Photographers.

Irish Wedding Venues.

Irish Wedding Jewellers.

Irish Wedding Hats.

Lingerie.

Irish Wedding Shoes.

Irish Wedding Dress Designers

Irish Ladies Fashion.

Mens Dress Hire

Irish Bridal Shops.

Wedding Balloons.

Beauty products.

Beauty Salons.

Irish Churches.

Irish Furniture.

Hair Care products.

Irish Hair Salons.

Irish Image Consultants.

Make Up Artists.

Irish Wedding Marquees.

Irish Wedding Music.

Party Hire.

Slimming & Weight Management.

Stag Hen Adventures.

Irish Toastmaster.

Irish Travel Agents.

Irish Wedding Video.

Irish Wedding Cakes.

Irish Wedding Candles.

Irish Wedding Cars.

Irish Wedding Florists.

Irish Wedding Gifts.

Irish Wedding Insurance.

Irish Wedding Stationery.

Acupuncture.

Aromatherapy.

Irish Chiropractors.

Counselling & Advisory Services.

Irish Dieticians.

Irish Health Farms.

Irish Health Products.

Irish Health Screening.

Irish Herbalists.

Irish Homoeopaths.

Irish Hypnotherapists.

Kinesiology.

Irish Massage Therapists.

Irish Naturopaths.

Irish osteopaths.

Personal Development.

Reflexology.

Stress Management.

Transcendental Meditation.

Irish Vaccination Centres.

Irish Wedding Poetry

Irish Yoga.

Copyright

Competitions.

Advertising.

Irish Wedding Hotels.

Bridal Wear.

Hat hire.

Jewellers.

Irish Photographers.

Honeymoon Resorts.

Floral Preservation.

Horoscope.

Irish Weddings About Us.

The Full Picture

Other Links

The Traditional Irish Wedding Page!
Welcome!
No matter how you plan your wedding it will be yours and it will be wonderful! We believe in flexibility and the ability to personalize. In the Irish tradition there are so many choices. Celtic Weddings, Irish Peasant Weddings and fancy Dublin Georgian weddings with crystal and lace to name but a few. You can also combine traditions.
We are concerned here with the Traditional Irish Wedding Customs. These have been gathered up from all over Ireland and from all different periods. See what suits you!
What you will not find here is the emphasis upon commercial sources which dominates so many guides. We do not want to sell you stuff that you can easily make yourself. We are not directing you to businnesses. We direct you to tradition. We want you to be able to discover the traditions of your ancestors and of your family. Once you have found them then, you can explore the commercial world. But one reminder: The traditional Irish wedding did not require a single outside company or contractor to be a success. Traditional celebrations strengthened the family and culture as all pitched in to make their own contributions. Consider this rich path to your special celebration. Above all! Have fun and make your day a special one! Let us know how it went! Click to send us e.mail. Also- let us know how you liked this page!
On to the main menu!
Play the Irish Wedding Song as you read! Click Here
Yes! We finally wrote the book-
Get our Irish Wedding Book
It has much more content. To purchase it
click here
or click here
Don't get married in the Irish Tradition without one!
This is the only thing we sell here- but we do so
only because of demand!So many requests!
(beware of guides filled with references to stores and merchandise!)
And we have kept it simple and inexpensive so
everyone can have one!It
extends these pages with much more information.

"Más mian leat cáineadh pós, Más mian leat moladh faigh bás."
If you want to be blamed get married if you want to be praised - drop dead!
-Old Irish Proverb
A few opening words in Irish Gaelic! click here
Play the Irish Wedding Song as you read! Click Here
Flann O'Brien On Before and Without! Running Away Capture Divination Lady Wilde Describes an early Wedding
Courtship/Arrangement The Wedding The Strawboys Couvade of Widows Scottish Weddings!
Express your love
in Irish Gaelic! Selecting the Date A few Romantic Poems Irish Wedding Cake

A few opening words in Irish Gaelic!
An bpósfaidh tú mé? Will you marry me?
Pósfaimis! Let's get married!
Engaged to be maried--Tá mé geallta do--(name)
Lámh is focal a thabhairt dá chéile-- to be betrothed to each other
"I do"-- Gabhaim agus glaicim é (or í) mar c(h)éile
fáinne pósta -- wedding ring
When you are married and have a large family: Tá mé pósta agus céasta. (I'm married and
crucified!)

Flann O'Brien takes a Humorous look at the process....

The Poor Mouth

Chapter 6

"After pondering the matter(marriage) for another year, I approached the Old-Fellow once more.

-Honest fellow! Said I, I'm two years waiting now without a wife and I don't think I'll ever do any good without one. I'm afraid the neighbors are mocking me. Do you think is there any help for the fix I'm in or will I be all alone until the day of my death and everlasting burial?

Boy! Said the Old-Fellow. 'Twould be necessary for you to know some girl.

If that's the way, I replied, where do you think the best girls are to be got?

In the Rosses without a doubt!

The Sea-cat entered my mind and I became a little worried. However, there is little use denying the truth and I trusted the Old-fellow.

If 'tis that way, said I in a bold voice. I'll go to the Rosses tomorrow to get a woman.

The Old-Fellow was dissatisfied with this kind of thing and endeavored for a while to coax me from the marriage-fever that had come upon me but, of course, I had no desire to break the resolution which was fixed for a year in my mind. He yielded finally and informed my mother of the news.

-Wisha! Said she, the poor creature!

If he manages to get a woman out of the Rosses, said the Old-Grey Fello, how do we know but that she'll have a dowry?

Wouldn't the likes of that be a great help to us at present in this house when the spuds are nearly finished and the last drop reached in the end of he bottle with us?

I wouldn't say that you haven't the truth of it! Said my mother.

They decided at last to yield completely to me. The Old Fellow said that he was acquainted with a man in Wweedore who had a nice curly-headed daughter who was as yet, unmarried although the young men from the two sandbanks were all about her, frenzied with eagerness to mary. Her father was name d Jams O'Donnell and Mabel was the maiden's name. I said that I would be satisfied to accept her.

The following day the Old-Fellow put a five noggin bottle in his pocket and both of us set out in the direction of Gweedore. IN the middle of the afternoon we reached that townland after a good walk while the daylight was still in the heavens. Suddenly the Old-fellow halted and sat down by the roadside.

Are we yet near the habitation and enduring home of the gentleman, Jams O'Donnell? Asked I softly and quietly, querying the Old-Fellow.

-We are! Said he. There is his house over yonder.

Fair enough, said I. Come on till we settle the deal and get our evening spuds. There's a sharp hunger on my hunger.

Little son! Said the Old-fellow sorrowfully, I'm afraid that you don't understand the world. T'is said in the good books that describe the affairs of the Gaelic paupers that its in the middle of the night that two men come visiting if they have a five-noggin bottle and are looking for a woman. Therefore we must sit here until the middle of the night comes.

But 'twill be wet tonight. The skies above are full.

Never mind! There's no use for us trying to escape from fate, oh, bosom friend!

We did not succeed in escaping that night either from fate or the rain. We were drenched into the skin and to the bones. When we reached Jams O'Donnell's floor finally, we were completely saturated, water running from us freely, wetting both Jams and his house as well as everything and living creature present. We quenched the fire and it had to be rekindled nine times.

Mabel was in bed(or had gone to her bed) but there is no necessity for me to describe the stupid conversation carried on by the Old-Fellow and Jams when they were discussing the question of the match. All the talk is available in the books which I have mentioned previously. When we left Jams at the bright dawn of day, the girl was betrothed to me and the Old Fellow was drunk. We reached Corkadoragha at the midhour of the day and were well satisfied with the night's business....."---From:The Poor Mouth.Flann O'Brien,Trans Patrck Power,Viking,New York,1973.pp.79-84

To return to the main menu click here

Before and without arrangement!

From:Curious Customs of Sex and Marriage., George Ryley Scott, Torchstream Books,London.

P.44.

An interesting reference to bundling as practiced in Ireland occurs in a book entitled The Stranger in Ireland, written by John Carr, who says:" One evening, at an inn where we halted we heard a considerable bustle in the kitchen, and , upon inquiry, I was let into a secret worth knowing. The landlord had been scolding one of his maids, a very pretty plump little girl, for not having done her work; and the reason which she alleged for her idleness was, that her master having locked the street door at night, had prevented her lover enjoying the rights and delights of bundling, an amatory indulgence which, considering that it is sanctioned by custom, may be regarded as somewhat singular, although it is not exclusively of Welsh growth. The process is very simple: the gay Lothario, when all is silent, steals into the chamber of his mistress, who receives him in bed, but with the modest precaution of wearing her under petticoat, which is always fastened at the bottom, not infrequently, I am told by a sliding know. It may astonish a London gallant to be told that this extraordinary experiment often ends in a downright wedlock- the know which cannot slide. A gentleman of respectability also assured me that he was obliged to indulge his female servants in these nocturnal interviews, and that, too, at all hours of the night, otherwise his whole family would be thrown into disorder by their neglect; the carpet would not be dusted nor would the kettle boil."

Richard Twiss, in his book A tour in Ireland in 1775, also says that bundling was prevalent among the common people in some parts of Ireland; and as evidence of a similar custom existing in Holand quotes the following passage from the travels of Van Egmont and Heyman....

To return to the main menu click here

Express your love in Irish Gaelic

A rún! (uh ROON) lit., O! love!
A ghrá! (uh GHRAW) lit., O! love!
A chumann! (uh KHU-muhn) lit., O! affection!
A mhuirnín! (uh WOOR-neen) lit., O! sweetheart!
A chroí! (uh KHREE) lit., O! heart!
A chuisle! (uh KHWISH-luh) lit., O! pulse!
A stór! (uh STOHR) lit., O! treasure!
A thaisce! (uh HASH-kyuh) lit., O! treasure!
A chiste! (uh HISH-chuh) lit., O! treasure chest!
A rún mo chroí! O! love of my heart!
A chuisle mo chroí! O! pulse of my heart!
A chiste is a stór! O! treasure chest and treasure!
A mhuirnín dílis! O! true sweetheart!

Running away....

In Ireland at one time it was considered fitting, according to Sampson, hat the groom should "run away with the bride."

Jeaffreson(1872) in his interesting work Brides and Bridals, mentions a curious practice observed some tow centuries ago in West Meath, in which a number of the bridegroom's friends approached the bride's party, when it was usual "to make a sportive show of hostility to the cavaliers who advanced on horseback for the purpose of surrendering her to her hands. "Being come near each other" said Piers, "the custom was of old to cast short darts at the company that attended the bride, but at such distance that seldom any hurt ensued. Today it is not out of the memory of man that the Lord of Hoath on such an occasion lost an eye."

From the accounts of contemporary writers it is apparent that in connection with these Irish weddings, however good might be the match, it was thought little of if the bridegroom did not first seize and carry off the bride. The couple spent some days, marked by jollification, among friends of the bridegroom, and then returned to the home of the bride's parents. Here they were visited by relations and friends laden with gifts, for the most part consisting of bottles of whisky, as contributions to a second jollification; on the conclusion of which the couple proceeded to their new home, to commence their married life together.

Ancient capture....

That the practice(of marriage by capture) was of great antiquity in Ireland is indicated by an old poem of that country, Duan Gircanash, which makes reference to three hundred women being carried off into enforced marriage by the Picts from the Gaels. ON of the verses narrates:

Cruithne, son of Cuig, took their women from them--

It is directly stated--

Except Tea, wife of Hermion,

Son of Miledh.

Finding themselves thus deprived of their women, the Gaels finally made an alliance with the aboriginal tribes of Ireland, as we are told in he following quatrian:

There were no charming noble wives

For their young men;

Their women having been stolen, they made alliance

With the Tuatha Dea.

From: Strange Customs of Courtship and Marriage by William J. Fielding, The New Home Library,New York. P. 239.

Divination!

If?
Before we get to When? or Who?
Perhaps we should take care of if!
Just prepare and eat the recipes below and you should be all right! (then read on)

“Boxty on the griddle,
Boxty in the pan,
If you don’t eat Boxty you’ll never get a man”

Boxty Bread

Ingredients:

1 lb. Raw Potatoes
1 lb. (4 cups) flour
salt and pepper
1 lb. (2 cups) cooked well mashed potatoes
40z. (1/4 cup) melted butter/bacon fat.

Instructions:

1. Peel raw potatoes-grate and put onto a clean cloth/towel
2.Gather up the cloth and twist it wringing liquid out- catch liquid in a bowl.
3.Put grated potatoes into another bowl
4. Place hot cooked mashed potatoes over the raw grated ones.
5. The starch will settle to the bottom of the potato liquid. When this happens pour off the water and scrape the starch into the potato mixture.
6. Mix completely and add the flour, salt and pepper. Last add the butter/fat.
7. Knead and roll the mixture on a floured board.
8. Shape into round flat cakes. Cut a cross over each making them into quarters or “Farls”
9. Bake on a greased baking sheet at 300 degrees for about 40 minutes
10. Split and serve hot with real! Butter.

Boxty On the Griddle
Make the same recipe as above adding
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
Enough milk to make a dropping batter
Cook these on a moderately hot griddle until brown on both sides-
serve with butter and sprinkle with sugar.
Also traditional at All Hallow’s Eve

Who and When shall it be?

Irish women have many customs which predict the one to marry. One method is to boil an egg hard, remove the yolk, fill the cavity with salt, and eat the whole of it. Then go to bed without speaking or drinking anything. If the Lover appears in a dream, offering water ot quench the maiden's thirst, he is to be accounted faithless. The "faggot charm" is to go on Hallowe'en or midsummer Eve at midnight to the woodstack, and draw out a stick. If it is straight and event,y our husband will be gentle and kindly; if knotted, he will be churlish; and if bent and twisted, a crabbed old man.

The nutshell charm is a very old one. Take two nuts (generally chestnuts) and name them silently-one for yourself and one for your lover. Place them on the bars of the fire and watch. If they burn quietly and steadily, you will gain a faithful love; if your companion nut jumps away from you, you will be disappointed; and if your own nut should move, your love will pass.
Do not miss all of the Divinations on our main marriage Divination Page Click Here

Courtship and Arrangement

The most traditional of Irish weddings follows a match made for economic and political purposes by the father of the groom. The father chooses from one of his son for a son to be married. His choice is important as the son to be married will inherit the farm. In early

times the land could be and was subdivided endlessly so that all received a portion. This

practice was forbidden as small land holdings became uneconomical and land scarce. Later it was the obligation of the farmer to "settle" only one son "on the land".

A young man looking for a young lady would work through his friends and from friends to relatives with the setting for such discussions being the markets or public houses. Eventually all families become involved. Once a lady is recommended the man will send a "speaker" to her to determine her fortune and suitability. If the speaker and the woman's

family are convinced that it would be a good match the speaker will be given a go ahead to "draw it down" He returns to the young man's house and arranges a meeting between

the two fathers and the young man.

At the meeting the fist drink is called by the young man; the second by the young lady's father.

The young lady's father asks the speaker of the dowry price. The girls father inquires as to the nature of the home, the farm the livestock and the situation of the farm.

How many cows, sheep horses?. What sort of garden?, what sort of water supply?, is it far from the road? or on it? what kind of house and what sort of roof- slate or thatch? Near a chapel - a school?

If a nice place and eight cows near the road the fortune of 350 pounds may be asked. The Young lady's father offers 250 then the father throws off 50 . then the speaker divides the 50 between them so now its 275 then the young man insists on 300- but maybe he will think of it....if she is a good housekeeper. They drink until intoxicated.

After the fortune is arranged they then set a place and time for the young people to see oneanother. The young lady takes her friends,brother, mother and father. The young man takes his friends and the speaker.

If they like each other they will set a date to come see the land. If things aren't right

they simply say they do not suit not revealing details.

The day before the girls people come to see the land preparations for a feast are made.

Geese are killed the house whitewashed whiskey and porter bought. The cows are fed and sometimes cows are borrowed to make things look good.

The girls family comes and the land is walked. The young man sends his best friend to show the girls father round making sure the bad points are not shown.

If the girl's father likes the land he will join in the feast until night.

The next day they go to the attorney to get the writings between the parties concluded.

The father agrees to sign over the land. After that the wedding can go forward.

"In ancient Ireland it is said to have been the custom for the man to give the woman he wanted to marry a bracelet woven of human hair. Her acceptance of it was symbolic of accepting the man, linking herself to him for life. The use of some strands of hair in love-lockets, usually curled into a circle, has been a custom down to modern times. In the bracelet,as in the ring, we have the circle--the link symbolizing union unbroken without end" From: Strange Customs of Courtship and Marriage by William J. Fielding, The New Home Library,New York.p.26.

"The purchase of the bride was customary among the ancient Celts. In Ireland the bride-price (called coibche) consisted of various objects, such as articles of gold, silver or bronze,clothes or horse bridles cattle or swine, land or houses. Installment payment was not unusual, the husband making a yearly remittance after marriage until his obligation was fulfilled. From: Strange Customs of Courtship and Marriage by William J. Fielding, The New Home Library,New York.

P.263.

"Amount the Irish peasants the professional match-maker or "cosherer" is still to be found, and some very quaint customs survive. If a girls fiancé dies, it is the custom for her to solemnly "give back her promise" before witnesses, holding the dead man's hand. There is also much fairy folklore in Ireland and it is said that if a bridegroom unbuttons one button of the right knee, the little people cannot harm him. In parts of Mayo and Leitrim there is a strange survival of a wedding dance with a straw mask or sometimes a straw petticoat. A band of nine "strawboys," as they are called, visits the bride's home on the wedding eve, and one dances with the bride and the rest with the other girls present. They are followed by nine more also masked, and it is considered unlucky if any of them are recognized."

From:A short History of Marriage By: Ethel,L.Urlin,1913,Omnigraphics, Detroit, 1990

p.195.

Once when Naoisi was outside alone Deidre slipped out to him as if she were going past him and he did not recognize her.

"That's a nice heifer that's going by me," he said.

"Heifers ought to be by," she said, "wherever there are no bulls"

"You have the bull of the province," he said, meaning the King of Ulster.

"I'd choose between you, " she said ,"and take a little young bull like you."

"No," he said. "Not after Cathbad's prophecy!"

"Are you saying that because you don't want me?"

"I am surely," said he.

She made a rush at him and grabbed his two ears.

"Then two ears of shame and mockery on you," she said, "unless you take me with you."

"Go on , woman! " he said.

"You'll have it," she said.

-Annon 9th cent. Trans Frank O'Connor.

To return to the main menu click here

The Wedding

The Irish Wedding Song

Here they stand hand in hand
they've exchanged wedding bands
Today is the day of their dreams and their plans,
and all we who love them just wanted to say.
May God bless this couple who married today
In good times and bad times in sickness and health
may they know that riches are not needed for wealth
and help them face problems they'll meet on their way
Oh god bless this couple who married today
May they find peace of mind comes to all who are kind
May the rough times ahead become triumphs in time
May their children be happy each day
Oh God bless this family who started today
As they go may they know every love that was shown
And as life it gets shorter may their feelings grow
Wherever they travel wherever they stay
May God bless this couple who married today
*substitute first names of bride and groom in the last line of song
as in god bless...and ....
-----Ian Betteridge

-----------------------------------------------------

Classic Irish Romantic Poems
By all means have something to say! The Irish are famous as talkers. Pick up a few lines to add depth to your experiences.
Source: New Oxford Book of Irish Verse, 1986

To the Virgin Mary 13th Century

Blue-eyed, gleaming, is your face,
with dark-ridged eyes over it
fair-branching, slender is your hand
I owe a poem that does not lie

Pure, wholesome, yellow hair,
a vine of curls around your head
round, thin-fingered, pure palm,
O firm- well-shaped foot

O curled, ridged yellow hair,
Mary of slender brows
give me no other judge
but the welcome of your heart

Let us feast to your shapely figure
-swift, mighty - side by side
Accept my best poems and songs
bright-languid, noble, decorous one

No woman but you in my home
its mistress may you be
False women and all the wealth I see
none of mine will pay them heed

Turn toward me your sole and palm
and your brown hair in beauty,
Your keen green young round eye
-may I fall in feast on your moist locks!

Rosin Dubh (Little Black Rose)

Roisin, have no sorrow for all that has
happened to you
the Friars are out on the brine,. they
are travelling the sea
your pardon from the Pope will come,
from Rome in the East
and we won't spare the Spanish wine
for my Roisin Dubh

Far have we journeyed together, since
days gone by.
I've crossed over mountains with her,
and sailed the sea
I have cleared the Erne, though in
spate, at a single leap
and like music of the strings all about
me, my Roisin Dubh

You have driven me mad, fickle girl-
may it do you no good!
My soul is in thrall, not just yesterday
nor today
You have left me weary and weak in
body and mind
O deceive not the one who loves you,
my Roisin Dubh

I would walk in the dew beside you, or
the bitter desert
in hopes I might have your affection,
or part of your love
Fragrant small branch, you have given
your word you love me
the choicest flower of Munster, my
Roisin Dubh
If I had six horses, I would plough
against the hill-
I'd make Roisin Dubh my Gospel in the
middle of Mass-
I'd kiss the young girl who would
grant me her maidenhead
and do deeds behind the lios with my
Roisin Dubh!

The Erne will be strong in flood, the
hills be torn
the ocean will be all red waves, the sky
all blood,
every mountain and bog in Ireland will
shake
one day, before she shall perish, my
Roisin Dubh.

15th/ 16th century
No sickness worse than secret love
It's long, alas, since I pondered that
No more delay; I now confess
my secret love, so slight and slim

I gave a love that I can't conceal
to her hooded hair, her shy intent
her narrow brows, her blue-green eyes
her even teeth and aspect soft

I gave as well - and so declare-
my soul's love to her soft throat
her lovely voice, delicious lips
snowy bosom, pointed breast

And may not overlook, alas,
my cloud-hid love for her body bright
her trim straight foot, her slender sole,
her languid laugh, her timid hand

Allow there was never known before
such a love as mine for her
there lives not, never did, nor will,
one who more gravely stole my love

Do not torment me, lady
Let our purposes agree
You are my spouse on this Fair Plain
so let us embrace

-anon.

15th/ 16th century,

Set that berry-coloured mouth
on mine, O skin like foam
Place that smooth and lime-white limb
-despite your quarrel- round me

Slim and delicate, be no longer
absent from my side
Slender, show me to your quilts!
Stretch our bodies side by side

As I have put away (soft thigh)
Ireland's women for your sake
likewise try to put away
all other men for me

I gave to your bright teeth
Immeasurable longing
So it is just that you should give
your love in the same measure.
-anon

Rosin Dubh (Little Black Rose)

Roisin, have no sorrow for all that has
happened to you
the Friars are out on the brine,. they
are travelling the sea
your pardon from the Pope will come,
from Rome in the East
and we won't spare the Spanish wine
for my Roisin Dubh

Far have we journeyed together, since
days gone by.
I've crossed over mountains with her,
and sailed the sea
I have cleared the Erne, though in
spate, at a single leap
and like music of the strings all about
me, my Roisin Dubh

You have driven me mad, fickle girl-
may it do you no good!
My soul is in thrall, not just yesterday
nor today
You have left me weary and weak in
body and mind
O deceive not the one who loves you,
my Roisin Dubh

I would walk in the dew beside you, or
the bitter desert
in hopes I might have your affection,
or part of your love
Fragrant small branch, you have given
your word you love me
the choicest flower of Munster, my
Roisin Dubh
If I had six horses, I would plough
against the hill-
I'd make Roisin Dubh my Gospel in the
middle of Mass-
I'd kiss the young girl who would
grant me her maidenhead
and do deeds behind the lios with my
Roisin Dubh!

The Erne will be strong in flood, the
hills be torn
the ocean will be all red waves, the sky
all blood,
every mountain and bog in Ireland will
shake
one day, before she shall perish, my
Roisin Dubh.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Irish Wedding Cake!
Makes one 12"/30cm. tin
Ingredients
Currants 1 lb. 12 oz./800g.
Sultanas (Golden Raisins) 1lb./450g.
Raisins 9 oz./25 oz 250 g.
Shredded Almonds 7 oz./200g.
Glace Cherries 70z/200g.
Peel,cut,mixed 70z/200g.
Flour 1lb 3oz. 525 g.
Salt 1 teaspoon
Mixed Spice 2 1/2 tsp.
Butter 1lb.450g.
Rich Dark sugar 1lb.450g.
Black treacle 2 tbsp.
Orange and Lemon zest 1 1/2 tsp. each
Eggs 8 large
Vanilla essence 1 1/2 tsp.
Brandy 4 tbsp.
cooking time: 4 1/2-5 1/2 hours
Instructions

1. Grease tin and line it with three layers of greaseproof paper, extending about 2" above the top of the tin.

2. Tie a thick band of folded newspaper around the outside of the tin to protect the edge of the cake from over cooking.

3. Have a suitable sized piece of brown paper to put over the cake if it is in danger of overbrowning.

4.Cake will be cooked when a skewer put into the center comes out clean

5. Sort the fruit and remove any stalks or irregular pieces.

6. Mix fruit with halved cherries, peel and a tablespoon or two of the flour.

7. Sift flour, salt and the spices.

8. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

9. To the butter add the treacle, zests, and essences. Beat well.

10. Add the eggs, one by one with a tablespoon full of flour with each-beat well. Fold in the fruit and remaining flour plus the brandy. Mix well.

11. Turn mixture into the prepared tin and smooth down with tablespoon making a slight hollow in the center.

12.You may leave the cake over night or till ready to bake.

13.Pre heat oven to 300 degrees F., 150 degrees C, Gas mark 2 bake cake in center of the oven for 1-1/2 hours.

14. Reduce heat to 275 degrees F, 140 degrees C, Gas mark 1 for the remaining baking time or until the top of cake feels firm to the touch and skewer comes out clean and dry.

15. Watch cake as it bakes. Cover if it looks like it might overbrown.

16.Cool cooked cake in tin then remove paper and turn upside down onto a board. Make small holes into the cake with skewers and pour on some extra brandy.

17. When brandy is absorbed wrap cakes in double layer of greaseproof paper and then a layer of foil. Seal and store in airtight container and place in a cool place for at least a month. You should finish the cake about a fortnight before the wedding.

18. Cover with white Irish Royal Icing or Fondant Icing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Selecting the Date
In Ireland the last day of the old year is thought specially lucky for weddings. Childermas Day or Holy Innocents is, on the contrary, a very unlucky one.....

"Until the Eighteenth century, the Marriage law of Ireland was nearly identical with that of England, and followed by nearly the same consequences; that is, marriages were for the most part regular, but irregular marriages and pre-contracts were tolerated, and not infrequent. It was not till 1818 that pre-contracts were deprived of their efficacy; and it was not necessary until 1844 that even marriages celebrated by the established clergy should be protected by forms analogous to those prescribed by the English law as settled in 1823 and 1835. But he distinctive peculiarity of the Irish Marriage Law has long been its sectarian character, that it regulates the conditions of the contract according to religious distinctions. For, while the clergy of the Establishment were permitted to marry persons without any reference to their religious faith, the Roman Catholic clergy were restricted to persons of their own creed; and it was enacted by a well-known statute that"every marriage between a Papist, and any other person who hath been or hath professed him or herself to be a Protestant, at any time within 12 calendar months before the celebration of such marriage, or between two Protestants, by a Popish priest, shall be null and void without any judgment, process, or sentence of law." Roman Catholic priests had, however, full liberty to marry persons of their own faith as they pleased, in any irregular or clandestine way, the discipline of their Church, however, rendering this practice sufficiently uncommon. At the same time the ministers of Protestant Nonconformist congregations were permitted only to marry persons professing Protestant Nonconformity.

In consequence of a marriage solemnized by a Presbyterian clergyman between a person of his own creed an Episcopal Protestant having been declared null in 1844, the Irish Marriage Law was again reformed. The leading principle of the new code was to transfer to Ireland, in case of marriages in the Established Church, the rules in force in England, with some modifications, to give Irish Protestant Nonconformist ministers power to celebrate marriages as in England, throughout the intervention of civil registrars, and with formalities very analogous-- a peculiar exception being, however, made as to one class of Nonconformist ministers--to imitate the English Law in the cases of marriage without any religious ceremony, and of he marriages of Jews and Quakers, to create a system of general registration for all marriages, but to leave untouched the principles relating to marriages solemnized by the Roman Catholic clergy. Since the disestablishment of the Irish Church, power has been given by Act of Parliament to its Archbishops and Bishops, and to the heads of the different Protestant bodies in Ireland to grand special licenses.

The following account of an Irish country wedding is taken from the well-known and excellent work of Mr. And Mrs. S.C. Hall:--

When the match is made, it becomes necessary for the bridegroom to obtain a certificate

from his parish priest that he is to contract marriage cum quavis similiter soluta (it is always written in Latin) with any woman equally free from canonical bonds or impediments; to this a fee is always attached, we believe five shillings. He must also procure form the bishop or vicar-general, a license to marry, to which also a fee is attached of seven shillings and sixpence. This being done, he reparis with his bride to the house of her parish priest, accompanied by his and her friends, as many as they can muster; and before he is married, pays down to the priest the marriage fee according to his circumstances. The friends of both parties are also called upon to pay down something, and , between their reluctance to meet the demand and the priest's refusal to marry them till he is satisfied, a scene, sometimes humorous and sometimes discreditable, often arises. If the bride's father or brother be a "strong" farmer, who can afford to furnish a good dinner, the marriage takes place at the bride's house, the bridegroom bringing with him as many of his friends as choose to accompany him. The same process as to money takes place here, and it is not uncommon for the collection to amount ot twenty or thirty pounds. The time most in favor for celebrating weddings is just before Lent.

The guests are always numerous, and consist of all ranks, from the lord and the lady of the manor, through the intermediate grades of gentlemen, "squireens," farmers, down to the common laborer--wives, of course, included. Perfect equality prevails on this occasion, and,yet, the natural courtesy of the Irish character prevents any disturbance of social order-every one keeps his place, while, at the same time, the utmost freedom reigns. The dinner is usually at the expense of the Bride's family; and as nothing is spared in procuring the materials, and the neighboring gentry allow their cooks etc.. to assist, and lend dinner services etc... it is always "got up" in the best style. The priests sits at the head of the table; near him the bride and bridegroom, the coadjutors of the clergyman, and the more respectable guests; the other guests occupy the remainder of the table, which extends the whole length of the barn- in which the dinner generally takes place.

Immediately on the cloth being removed, the priest marries the young couple, and then the bridecake is brought in and placed before the priest who, putting on his stole, blesses it, and cuts it up into small slices which are handed round on a large dish among the guests, generally by one of the coadjutors. Each guest takes a slice of the cake, and lays down in place of it a donation for the priest, consisting of pounds, crowns, or shillings, according to the ability of the donor. After that, wine and punch go round, as at any ordinary dinner party. In the course of an hour or so, part of the range of tables is removed, and the musicians (consisting usually of a piper and a fiddler) who, during the dinner, had been playing some of the more slow and plaintive of the national airs, now strike up, and the dance immediately commences."

"I am curious to know," said he, "who that old gentleman is?"

As he spoke, his curiosity was further excited by seeing a little boy come into a room and place a green bag on the old man's knees. "That's the celebrated Irish piper," she replied. "I am surprised to see him here. I did not think he attended country weddings."

"I suppose he goes round among the nobility and gentry, as we are told the harpers used to do."

"He does., and he has a beautiful little pony the countess gave him. But I suppose he's stopping at present with the priests, and Father Hannigan has brought him with him."

As he uncovered his pipes their splendor quite took Mr. Lowe by suprise. The keys were of silver, and the bag covered with crimson velvet fringed with old; while the little bellows was quite a work of art, so beautifully was it carved and ornamented with silver and ivory. Having tied an oval piece of velvet with a ribbon attached to each and above his knee, he adjusted his instrument, and after moving his arm, to which the bellows was attached by a ribbon, till the crimson velvet bag was inflated, he touched the keys, and catching up the chanter quickly in both hands began to play... the musician soon seemed to forget all mere human concerns. He threw back his head, as if communing with invisible spirits in the air above him; or bent down over his instrument as if the spirits had suddenly flown into it, and he wanted to catch their whispering there, too.

The audience to some extent, shared in the musician's ecstasy; particularly Father Hannigan, from whose eyes tears were actually falling as the delicious melody ceased, and the old man raised his sightless eyes and listened, as it were, for the echo of his strains form the skies...

The wedding guests had been silently dropping into the room, which was now pretty well filled. Mat Donovan occasionally seized a bottle or decanter, and filled out a glass of wine, of whiskey, or "cordial" for some of them....There was a hustling heard at the door, and Ned Brophy himself was seen pushing two blind pipers into the parlor with a degree of violence and expression of countenance that led Mr. Lowe to imagine he must have caught them in the act of attempting to rob him or something of the kind. The two pipers were tall and gaunt and yellow- a striking contrast in every way to Mr. Flaherty. One was arrayed in a soldier's gray watch-coat, with the number of the regiment stamped in white figures on the back, and the other wore a coarse blue body-coat with what appeared to be the sleeves of another old gray watch-coat, sewed to it between the shoulders and the elbow. Both wore well patched corduroy knee-breeches and bluish worsted stockings, with brogues of unusual thickness of sole, well paved with heavy nails. Their rude brass mounted instruments were in keeping with their garments. The sheepskin bag of one had no covering whatever, while that of the other was covered with faded plaid, cross barred with green and yellow. They dropped into two chairs near the door, thrusting their old "caubeens" under them, and sat bolt upright like a pair of mummies or figures at a wax work exhibition.

"Play that tune that the angels sang again, Mr. Flaherty," said Father Hannigan.

Mr. Flaherty complied, and the noise and hum of voices were once hushed.

" Have you that?" the piper in the watch coat asked his companion in a whisper, at the same time beginning to work with his elbow.

"I have," replied the other, beginning to work with his elbow, too.

A sound like snoring followed for a moment, and Mr. Flaherty jerked up his head suddenly, and looked disturbed-as if an evil sprit had intruded among his delicate Ariels. But as the noise was not repeated, his countenance resumed its wonted placidity, and he bent over his instrument again.

"I think I could do it better myself," said he of the blue bodycoat, holding his big knotty fingers over the holes of the chanter. "He didn't shake enough."

"So could I," replied the gray watch coat, giving a squeeze to his bag which was followed by a faint squeak.

"Turn him out! " shouted Mr. Flaherty, as he started to his feet, his eyes rolling with indignation.

There was great astonishment among the company; and Miss Lloyd jumped up in her chair and starred wildly about her, with a vague notion that Wat Murphy's bulldog--of which interesting animal she entertained the profoundest dread--had got into the room and seized Mr. Flaherty by the calf of the let.

"Come Seumas," said Father Hannigan, "this is no place for you. Come, Thade, be off with you." And Father Hannigan expelled the grumbling minstrels form the parlor; but in so doing he gave each a nudge in the ribs and slipped a shilling into his fist, which had the effect of changing their scowl into a broad grin, as they jostled out of the kitchen.

The Customs of the Strawboys

We had entered a countryside which was still steeped in the old traditions and customs, closely followed, although their origins were often lost. The young people could not say why they danced on the great slabs covering the dolmens-those tombs of kings who lived, perhaps, four thousand years ago when the Megalithic culture of the Mediterranean countries existed also in Ireland--but dance there they did, each Midsummer's Eve, having brought with them offerings of flowers. For eons, these dolmens were centers of fertility rites, perhaps because of some dim but universal belief hat where death and decay had been, birth and growth might spring...

So on an April day Nancy and Frank got married, and the Strawboys came and danced at their wedding.

"What did they look like?" I asked, when a week later I made my way up he long borheen to see the bride.

"They had high caps on them made of straw, pointed like." Said Nancy. "And masks, and straw capes round their shoulders. Theyl'd saw tied up in the front of their legs as well. They came at sundown-about eight o'clock, new time--and stayed half an hour. They danced with all, but they never spoke."

"If hey spoke' would break the spell," the bridegroom interjected.

"They take no refreshment either."

"And it's to bring good luck?" I asked.

"Tis," Nancy said, as a long intimate look passed between husband and wife and I thought

of the ancient fertility rites, which always seem so near and credible in this countryside.

"Do you know where the Strawboys came from?" I asked.

"Somewhere back in the hills," Nancy said. "But Frank thought a couple of them might have been comrades of his. "Tis years and years since the strawboys were seen in these parts, and there was a great cheer when we seen them coming high up across the crags, just as the sun went down."(18th c. Source)

And for mating....

Under the Couvade: A most peculiar custom that has existed among peoples in various parts of the world is the couvade. This provides that at the time of childbirth, the husband takes to his bed and simulates the pains that the wife actually undergoes. Following the birth of the child, he keeps to his bed and receives all the attentions commonly bestowed upon the mother......

...The couvade has also been described by explorers and missionaries among some of the aborigines of North, Central and South America. It appears in Celtic legend and is bound up by certain elements of witchcraft, with the forceful transference of pain to the father by nurse or midwife, as noted in Scotland and Ireland..." From: Strange Customs of Courtship and Marriage, by William J. Fielding, New Home Library, New York.

Marrage of Widows....

A girl was engaged to a widower at Blessington in Ireland, and the village boys followed her wherever she went serenading her with harsh discordant instruments. This was called a "horning," and was always done in the case of remarriage of widows or widowers.
To return to the main menu click here

Directory of This Irish Studies Page Literature and Verse Resources for Irish Gaelic Folklore and Seasonal Celebrations Drink and the Pub A lake of Links
Music and Song Humor Ireland-The Island Feedback History