Whitsuntide in old Ireland by Bridget HaggertyIn contrast to Easter Sunday, which was considered a very lucky day, Whit Sunday was quite the opposite. All precautions were taken against accident or ill-fortune and very few people would set out on a journey or risk doing anything dangerous particularly if it involved water. Water was completely avoided, for it was thought that the danger of drowning was very great. People didn't bathe or go swimming; the fishing and sailing boats were left idle; and it was considered very foolish to even walk along the edge of the sea, river or lake. The reason for this was based on an old superstition that all of those who had perished in that water rose up on Whit Sunday to try and persuade or force the living to join them. If that gives you goose bumps, it gets even grimmer. It was widely believed that any animal or human born at Whitsuntide would die a violent death or cause the death of another. However, there was a simple way to avoid this fate and that was to have the infant creature kill something. Most often, a live insect was put into a baby's hand and the little fingers squeezed on it until the insect was dead. Having caused a death, the child was freed from the spell. A baby animal was made to perform the same ritual so that it too, would be saved from the ill-fortune of being born on this day. Counter charms such as this one were very common in old Ireland and were often used to protect against an evil influence. For example, it was believed that people, especially children, who were suffering from an illness were more likely to die at this time of year than at others. In some parts of Ireland, a green sod was laid on the head of the afflicted person in hopes that the mimicry of a burial might prevent an untimely death. While Whit Sunday was rather somber and depressing, Whit Monday was a favorite day for honoring a patron saint, devotions at holy wells and enjoying the festivities at a local fair. That was until 1829, when it ceased to be a Holy day of Obligation for Catholics. Since then, most of the activities associated with Whit Monday have died out. What does linger on around Whitsuntide, however, is that niggling anxiety about the old superstitions; so, this writer won't be taking any chances. Living in a landlocked city makes it easy enough to avoid walks on the beach; we're a fair distance from the nearest river or lake, and we took our showers last night. No births are imminent, so we're safe there, and we ran all of our errands yesterday, so there's no need to venture out on any journeys. What we'll probably do is spend a leisurely Sunday morning puttering in the yard, enjoy a pub-style lunch, and then take a nice long nap. Afterwards, we'll become couch potatoes. For this daughter of the ould sod, that sounds very appropriate and, God willing, we'll survive the evil influences of the day. We wish for you the same!

The Irish Link to St. Valentine by Bridget Haggerty

As a young girl growing up in England in the 50s, I loved sending and receiving Valentine cards - messages that were always unsigned. As the sender, one would go to great lengths to disguise the source of the card. As the recipient, the fun was in trying to figure out the identity of your secret admirer. When I came to the United States in the early 60s, imagine my surprise to learn that the custom here was to identify the sender. Not only that, cards were often sent to relatives, such as your mom and dad! It didn't seem very appropriate to me, then or now. In fact, I still think it's very odd and, while I have capitulated to custom and sign the card I give to my husband, there's a part of me that still wishes Valentine's Day could be like it once was - shrouded in romantic mystery. Whether you sign your cards or choose to remain anonymous, have you ever wondered how this annual ritual began? Here's what the research into the history of St. Valentine revealed - and, much to my surprise - a link to Ireland that I was totally unaware of. Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus. One legend says that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young, unattached males. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages in secret for young lovers. When Valentine's defiance was discovered, Claudius ordered him put to death. Another story suggests that Valentine may have been martyred for trying to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. Yet another legend says the saint was the one who sent the very first Valentine. According to the story, he fell in love with the jailer's daughter while he was in prison and sent her a message of affection, signed "From Your Valentine." While much of what is written about the saint is, at best, very murky and unreliable, these stories certainly illustrate his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, romantic figure.So, it's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France. But why is his day celebrated in mid-February? There are those that believe it's to commemorate the anniversary of his death which occurred around 270 AD. However, it's more likely that the Church decided to make this day the feast of St. Valentine in an effort to christianize Lupercalia, an ancient pagan festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February - February 15 - was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests sacrificed a goat for fertility, and then, young boys sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goat-hide strips. Far

from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14th as St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. The Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Much, much later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14th was when birds began to mate which added to the idea that the middle of February - Valentine's Day - should be a day for romance. In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions at a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greetings. Here in the United States, we probably began exchanging hand-made Valentines in the early 1700s and then, in the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced Valentines in America. According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion Valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. Christmas is the first. So, we've come this far and earlier, I mentioned a link to Ireland. According to Mike McCormick in an article that appears on the Ancient Order Of Hibernian's web site ..."though the red heart has become the traditional symbol of Valentine's Day, there may be reason to also consider the shamrock, for there is an Irish connection." While there's no definitive written account of St. Valentine and his life in the third century, his Irish connection is more recent - and documented. In the year 1836, Pope Gregory XVI sent a gift to the Carmelite Church on Whitefriar Street, Dublin, in recognition of the work of the church's former prior, Father John Spratt, who was widely recognized as a very holy man. The gift was a relic of a Christian martyr: a small goldbound casket containing the earthly remains of St. Valentine. The relic had been exhumed from the cemetery of St. Hyppolytus on the Tiburtine Way in Rome, placed in a golden casket, and brought to Dublin, where it was enshrined in the little church with great ceremony. This year, on February 14th, as it has in every year since, the casket containing the Saint's mortal remains will be carried in solemn procession to the high altar of the Carmelite Church for a special Mass dedicated to young people and those in love. If you're lucky enough to be there, this little known Dublin church also sells Valentine's Day cards. Truly, it can be said - these are the genuine article!

For those wishing to visit St. Valentine's Shrine in Dublin, the church is located between Aungier Street and Wexford Street, just a few minutes walk west of St Stephen's Green. Besides the cards, one can also purchase various souvenirs bearing the saint's image. While I'd love to be there, it looks very unlikely that I'll be purchasing a card at the Carmelite Church in Dublin for my husband this year; but, I've decided not to buy him a ready-made card anyway. As much as St. Valentine is connected with love and romance, Ireland and her poets are every bit as rich a resource for communicating expressions of passion and affection. So, I'm going to create my own card; select a poem from literally hundreds, probably thousands of Irish verses, that express my feelings. Or, just may be, this year I'll dedicate to him something of my own. Then, I'll arrange to have it mailed from somewhere afar. Perhaps, Ireland. Best of all, I'm not going to sign it. All of that said, I'll leave you with these timeless words of love by Thomas Moore. He married his beloved Bessie in 1811. Whatever looks she may have had were ruined by a skin disease after they had been married for some time and she feared that, as a result, she might lose his affection. His reply was to write one of the most beautiful love songs to her as reassurance: Believe me if all those endearing young charms which I gaze on so fondly today were to change by tomorrow and fleet in my arms like fairy gifts fading away, Thou would'st still be adored as this moment thou art Let thy loveliness fade as it will And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart would entwine itself verdantly still. It is not while beauty and youth are thine own, And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear That the fervour and faith of a soul can be known To which time will but make thee more dear. Oh! the heart that has truly loved never forgets, But as truly loves on to the close, As the sunflower turns on her God when he sets The same look that she gave when he rose. (For more about Thomas Moore & his poems) Happy Valentine's Day - especially to all of you who have subscribed to these efforts. We've been privileged to get to know more than a few readers from comments and emails - but most subscribers remain anonymous. We think of you as our very own group of secret readers who seem to enjoy finding out as much about Ireland as we do. May it always be so. Images: Irish Language Valentine card from Smaointe Smaointe cards may also be sent as an e-card. Please click: Irish Corner. Valentine Card by Jonathan Swift from Irish Abroad. Any purchase you make helps support our site (and a card and bittersweet chocolate for

Bridget). Thank You! May - the month of mirth and merriment! by Bridget Haggerty When I was a little girl, we collected flowers on the day before May 1st and made little posies for the neighbors. While my mother usually didn't allow us to pick her flowers, for this special occasion, she'd allow us to augment our collection of wild blossoms with a few from her garden. So, joining the buttercups, daisies, ground violets, dandelions and sprigs of pussy-willow, would be a few precious pansies, primroses or other spring blooms. We carefully divided our collection into several small bunches and tied each one with a ribbon. Then, very early on May Day, we made our deliveries. The idea was to make it a surprise. So, we knocked on the door, left the flowers on the doorstep and hid. I can still see the looks of delight, especially on the faces of our elderly Irish neighbors. With this one small gesture, it was likely they would have been reminded of May mornings in Ireland, long ago. In ancient times, the two greatest festivals of the Celtic year were Samhain and Beltane. Samhain was the beginning of winter; it began on October 31st and ended exactly six months later on May 1st - Beltane. The name is thought to be derived from two possible sources - the Celtic pastoral God, Belenos, or the old Celtic words for "bright fire." In Ireland, as in many parts of the British Isles, bonfires were lit around Beltane- sometimes on the night before, and sometimes on the evening of the day itself. One has to always keep in mind that a Celtic feast day or festival always begins at sundown on the eve, and ends at sundown on the day. Eventually, Beltane became more strongly associated with Belenos, who is the god of light, healing and a special protector of cattle. One custom that survived for hundreds of years was driving the cows between two bonfires and carefully singeing their hair with burning material. The fields would also be treated to a singeing from the sacred bonfire, as a means of purification. Remember the old childhood rhyme, "Here we go gathering nuts in May?" Well, there are no nuts involved at all. The word was originally knots, and referred to knots or bunches of flowers. So, while May 1st was an important day in the Irish farming calendar, it was also a time to celebrate the end of winter with the gathering of flowers, dancing around bonfires or May poles, and one very special activity usually performed by Irish children the making of a May bush. It was once thought that on Beltane, the fairies would get up to more mischief than usual. So, parents were just as eager to help their children in the creation of this important May Day symbol, because it was said to protect the family, ward off evil spirits and ensure a plentiful harvest in the coming months. In more recent times, as the influence of the Roman Catholic Church became stronger and more widespread throughout Ireland, the erecting of the May Bush was done to honor the Virgin Mary. To this day, the month of May is still thought of by Catholics as Mary's month. I can remember as a girl, my mother telling me how, when she was little, they always brought flowers to school to decorate the special May Altar to Our Lady. That wasn't required of

us, but I do recall May Day assemblies, when all the girls in my school gathered to sing appropriate hymns. Does anyone else recall Cows in Australia Laytisia? (Causa Nostra Laetitia) How we used to take wicked delight in mispronouncing the compulsory Latin! Except for giving posies to our neighbors and singing hymns to the Blessed Mother in school, about the only other May Day activities I remember as a child were my mother making sure all of our bedding, especially blankets, were washed by May Eve and that she herself went out into her garden and cut boughs from a bush that bloomed with yellow flowers in spring; it was very similar to forsythia. This was placed over the doorway into the house; she also cut several long leaves from her Iris patch which she called flaggers and to these she added a collection of mostly yellow blooms. These, she placed in a clear vase on the sideboard and it was a lovely sign that summer was definitely on its way. To these few customs from my youth, I can now add a good many more. Research has revealed a slew of old May Day traditions and superstitions that used to be very common in Ireland fascinating bits of folklore that we'll cover in the next few days. Armed with this information, you'll be fully ready to greet "The May". You'll know, for example, why you should wash your face in the May Day morning dew, and also why it's a good idea to have a bowl of Nettle Soup for your supper. In the meantime, think on this well-known Irish riddle;if you think you know the answer, send us an email. No prizes for being correct - but, we will publish your name if you come up with the answer - and, if you'd like us to. I washed my face in water that had neither rained nor run, And I dried it on a towel, that was never woven or spun. Note: We receive many nice comments on our articles - we treasure all of them, especially ones like this: "I too remember our May Day celebrations ~ the crowning of the statue of the Blessed Virgin. We all brought flowers to school and hoped ours would be used in her crown. Those that were not were in large vases in front and around her. In a wee village not to far from where I live all of the street corners are decorated on May Day with white baskets of daisys and training ribbons. I must remember to put one on my lamp post. Thank you for another lovely visit with you." Judith Flynn.

The Humour is on me now Music for an Irish Wedding Reception by Bridget Haggerty As with the music for your ceremony, the possibilities for your reception are endless! While you may not want to play all Irish melodies, there's most certainly enough available to keep everyone singing and dancing for days! There are also so many choices for first dances that, unless you're really set on it, you can substitute clichs such as Daddy's Little Girl with Irish compositions that actually may have more meaning for you and your families. But be aware that some of the most popular tunes associated with the Emerald Isle are products of Tin Pan Alley. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, for example, was actually written by George Graff, an American of Dutch and German descent. I'm not saying that you shouldn't play the old standards, especially if they are family favorites, but do check into the many recordings available that feature musicians playing traditional Irish airs and dances. You will discover a wealth of tenderness, passion and beauty that is soul-stirring. While it's not always possible to preview a recording, amazon.com offers free sound bites which may help you avoid making the mistake of purchasing an inappropriate album which I did when I bought A Celtic Wedding by the Chieftains. I didn't look at the playlist. Had I done so, I would have seen immediately that all of the music is from Brittany. Yes, it's Celtic, and yes, as usual, the Chieftains are superb. But it isn't Irish. What follows is a general chronological order of key events held during most wedding receptions. With each event, I've suggested one or two pieces. Some of the selections reference a specific artist and recording. To set the mood, have an uilleann piper herald the arrival of the wedding party. An appropriate tune would be the recessional played at the end of your ceremony. If you are having a cocktail hour and/or receiving line prior to the meal, keep the mood going with musicians or a DJ playing traditional airs. Arrival of the Wedding Party Simple Gifts from the ballet Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland. This old Shaker hymn is supposedly rooted in Celtic culture and is the theme that runs throughout Michael Flatley's Lord of The Dance. Alternatively, consider Morghan Meaghan by Lauri Riley and Bob McNally from Celtic Odyssey.

Background Music During the cocktail hour, dinner and dessert, there will be numerous opportunities to play a wide variety of Irish music. See Information Section I for ideas. When making your choices, keep in mind that you will want to encourage conversation, so it's best to select unobtrusive instrumentals and save the boisterous jigs and reels for the dancing later. Also, unless you have an excellent master of ceremonies who can time musical introductions perfectly, it's advisable not to have any music at all during the speeches and toasts. First Dances Bride and Groom While many couples choose 'their song' for the first dance, The Irish Wedding Song by Ian Betterridge, already mentioned under Ceremony, has become almost a standard at Irish wedding receptions. It does have a lovely air and the words are beautiful. If you can play this piece during your ceremony, great, but if it's not permitted, it may be appropriate for your first dance together. If you select it, do be sure to have copies of the lyrics available so that all of your guests can sing it to you. An excellent version is The Irish Wedding Song by Andy Cooney from A Collection of Irish Hits. Father and Daughter Daughter of Mine by John McDermott from Love is a Voyage Fairy Tale by Eyna from The Celts Sure, She's Irish by Sonny Knowles from Sunshine & Shamrocks Mother and Son Did Your Mother Come From Ireland by Bing Crosby from Shamrocks & Shillelaghs. It's also on his Top O' The Morning recording. Parents Voyage by Christy Moore from The Christy Moore Collection. This is a splendid tribute to marriage as are The Vows go Unbroken and My Little Claddagh Ring by Andy Cooney from his Collection of Irish Hits. Bridesmaids and Groomsmen Mari's Wedding by Van Morrison and The Chieftains from Irish Heartbeat. Actually a Scottish melody, but it's so popular and full of joy, it merits inclusion. Special Events Cake Cutting Air - You're The One by the Chieftain's from Film Cuts. A Str M Chro - Jewel of My Heart by Maura O'Connell from Wandering Home. Bouquet and Garter Toss The Humour Is On Me Now, a jaunty Irish tune played at the reception in the movie, The Quiet Man. The soundtrack is available.

General Dancing Before getting into the wild jigs and reels and perhaps a few sets featuring contemporary Irish musicians, consider beginning the general dancing with Happy Are We All Together by Andy Cooney, a lovely ballad in a traditional slow waltz tempo. It's on his Collection of Irish Hits. Last Dance Instead of the traditional send-off, complete with old shoes and tin cans tied to the bumper of the getaway car, many couples are staying until the end of their reception because they don't want to miss out on any of the fun. And why not! If you plan to stay until the end, consider leading your guests out of the reception hall to a lively jig such as Up and About from the album James Galway and the The Chieftains in Ireland. It's recorded live and you can clearly hear the hard shoes of Irish dancers, which, by the way, would also be a wonderful addition to your reception. Consider inviting several dancers to do a soft shoe and hard shoe set during the dinner hour. While they are changing shoes, perhaps one of the dancers can explain the significance of their magnificent costumes. For your guests who may never have watched Irish dancing before, it could be a major highlight of the celebration! Source: The Traditional Irish Wedding by Bridget Haggerty Ullean piper from Anne Lanier Weddings Shrovetide - The Marrying Season by Bridget HaggertyWell into the 20th century, the busiest time for matchmaking in Ireland began right after Epiphany - January 6th. This was because the Irish had misinterpreted a Church ruling set forth in November, 1563 which prohibited weddings during Lent. The popular reasoning that evolved from this decree was that if you could not marry during Lent, then you had to marry before. Thus, it was taken for granted that Shrovetide was the proper time to marry and Shrove Tuesday - the day before Ash Wednesday - became the most favored day of all. With most weddings these days taking place on a Saturday, it may seem strange to us that just a few decades ago, marriages in Ireland would be performed on any day of the week except Saturday and Sunday. In fact, there's a little verse that illustrates the Irish luck associated with whichever day a couple chose to exchange their vows: Monday for health Tuesday for wealth,

Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, And Saturday, no day at all! It's all very logical when one remembers that Ireland was a rural country and Saturday was market day - the day when families bought and sold livestock, produce and whatever else was needed to support and sustain them. And, as far as I know, the Catholic church would not have allowed marriages on the Sabbath. But, back to the wedding plans. Once a union was arranged, there'd be the "walking out" - always chaperoned, of course. Often, the girl's parents would send a younger sibling along, ostensibly to pick flowers, but, in reality, to make certain there were no liberties taken by either party. These escorts were often known as "daisy pickers." While an arranged marriage may not seem very romantic to us, many of the engaged couples had known each other since they were children - and, in a lot of cases, feelings of affection were already established. So, even though romantic love as we know it was unheard of back then, families would do their best to match a son or daughter with a mate they thought would be a compatible companion. At some point during the walking out period, another important event took place that of "walking the land." This was when the daughter's parents would do an inspection of the future son-in-law's family home. Afterwards, they'd partake of the hospitality of the house to make certain there were no miserly tendencies in the young man's family. It was most likely after this special occasion that my favorite pre-wedding party was scheduled. It was called Aitin' the Gander. Here is a description from my book,

The Traditional Irish Wedding.:

Not so long ago, to hear the old storytellers tell about it, there used to be a custom that makes me wonder if today's term 'to cook one's goose' didn't have its origins in Ireland. When the matchmaker had succeeded in having the respective families of the bride and groom agree to a union, the groom was invited to come meet his future wife. It was on this occasion that the bride's family would roast a goose in honor of the up-coming nuptials. It was a chance for the couple to become better acquainted and all involved in the wedding would be invited, including the priest. Following dinner, there'd be dancing and plenty of opportunity for the couple to take a gander at what their families had lined up for them. Another version of this same custom was called 'picking the gander.' It came by its name from when family members discussed the implications of married life with the blushing bride-to-be as they plucked or picked the feathers from the goose. After Aitin the Gander,' the families would get together to do 'The Bindings' or marriage agreement. This agreement could often be extremely complicated. In many instances, for example, the daughter's mother and father would include a proviso that when they were old, they would get their full need of essentials such as milk, turf, butter, eggs and a ride to Sunday Mass. To quote Kevin Danaher from his wonderful book, The Year In Ireland, "Shrovetide, then, was the time to marry." Not surprisingly, while making a match is a

fascinating part of Irish history and folklore, the customs surrounding the big day itself are just as engaging. No pun intended. Or, perhaps it is. NOTE: Match-making was once very common in Ireland. There are still a few of them left, including this fine-looking gentleman. To read about him and how he goes about the business of bringing a couple together, please click here: The Irish Match-Maker For those who are planning a wedding or know someone who is, click our page for more. Resources: Content: The Year in Ireland by Kevin Danaher. Images: Village Wedding from All Posters & Prints.

Weddings

What if you were still single by Ash Wednesday? by Bridget Haggerty According to the Julian Calendar, it won't be Lent for a week. Why is this? Well, in 1751, King George II decreed that Great Britain would switch over from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar - the one we use today. The switch went into effect in September, 1752. The day after September 2nd of that year became September 14th. There were riots in the streets because people believed that the king had stolen 12 days out of their lives. Meanwhile, in Ireland, the monks kept what came to be known as Old Time. In my article, Shrovetide, the Season For Marrying, I described why the days before Ash Wednesday were when the majority of marriages took place in Ireland long ago. But, what if Shrovetide went by and you were still single when Ash Wednesday dawned? It was popular opinion in those times, that this was a major neglect of your social duty to the community; but, you could make amends by "Going to the Skelligs." On these rocky islands off the coast of County Kerry, a monastery had been built, and according to the old folklore, you could still be married there because the time the monks kept was nearly two weeks behind the rest of the country. How many couples actually took advantage of this loophole remains a mystery and many historians believe it to be just another romantic myth.

Myth or not, there was many a negligent single man or woman who was greeted during the first days of Lent with a barrage of teasing and banter. "You'll be off to the Rock, then?" "Don't miss the boat!" "So, who will you be taking on the grand excursion?" In many places, this custom of teasing eligible unmarried people was carried further by local poets who composed verses which told of a marvelous voyage to the rocks, praised the splendid vessel which would take the party there, and gave a long list of those who were making the journey - couples who would be matched up as incongruously as possible. The "Skellig Lists," as they came to be known, were circulated around the village for all to read, deride...and enjoy. In more recent times, the Skellig Lists took the form of large posters giving details of the "Grand Excursion." These were put up in prominent places on the first Sunday of Lent, so they might be read by all on the way to chapel. But that wasn't all the unfortunate unmarrieds had to endure. The first Sunday in Lent was also known as Chalk Sunday. Children and the younger men would hide in doorways and when their victims passed by, they'd whip out a piece of chalk and make a mark on their backs. Chalking would also take place right before and after Sunday Mass. During the middle of the 19th century, chalking was carried on all over Ireland, but, by the 1920s and 1930s, there were only a few places where it still flourished. One of my favorite Irish columnists is Cormac MacConnell. A couple of years ago, he wrote of one Mary Guerin from County Clare, who, at 96, was still as sharp as a tack. She well remembered every child in the parish coming to Mass equipped with a stick of chalk in hand. Chuckling like a child, she recalled that there were a lot of people, especially the old bachelors, who would lash out at the children on Chalk Sunday to try and prevent the mark of their lonesomeness....or failure....being marked starkly across their backs going into the chapel. She also remembered that anyone who was likely to be chalked would never wear their Sunday best. But surely, wouldn't chalk brush off easily enough? "Yes," said Mary - "but not the raddle that we used if we couldn't get the chalk." Now this was real devilment, because raddle is the red and powerful marker which, to this day, is smeared on the undersides of breeding rams during sheep-mating season on the mountains. A ewe who has a romantic encounter with a ram will have her fleece marked with the raddle. Thus, a farmer will know which of his ewes might be expected to become a mother and which of them had yet to mate. Asked if she was ever chalked, she laughed. "No." she said, "I was gone before they got the chance." As I will be very shortly, but not without mentioning one other interesting custom.

In parts of Galway and Mayo, salt was sprinkled on single people to 'preserve them hale and hearty until next Shrove.' In some places, it was done the day after Ash Wednesday which was market day. In others, it was done on the first Monday in Lent which was known as 'Salt Monday.' NOTE: Recently, a Skelligs Interpretive Centre was built on the mainland; tourists can learn all about the islands and then take a boat ride out to them. The drawback is that the boat simply goes out, around, and then returns - passengers don't get to set foot on the islands. However, there are at least three reputable boat operators who will take passengers out to the islands for a full day of exploration at leisure. Give Me Your Hand Music for an Irish Wedding Ceremonyby Bridget Haggerty

Recently, the Dublin Diocesan Liturgical Resource Centre compiled a CD to help couples identify appropriate music for a church ceremony. In hopes it will help avoid some of the more embarrassing choices couples have made in the past. As in: Waterloo, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow or Help Me Make It Through The Night. We are not making these up. Among other choices on the list are: God Give Me Strength, Crazy, and The End of The World As We know It. If you're still laughing out loud, you might laugh even louder when you learn that a well known Irish wedding consultant recommends The Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner as a recessional. In this writer's opinion, this is totally out of place at an Irish wedding - or any wedding. To her credit , this same consultant recommends, among others, popular pieces such as Beethoven's Ode to Joy and Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks. However, With so much traditional Irish music available, one has to wonder why she chose not to include any of them in her recommendations, for either the bride's entrance or the newlyweds departure. All of that said, there can be many pitfalls in selecting Irish compositions. For example, you'll often hear She Moved Through the Fair at many Irish wedding celebrations. It's a well-known traditional tune with lyrics by Padraic Colum, but while it's beautiful, the young girl who so poignantly reminds the young man that "It will not be long, love, before our wedding day" is a ghost! And one would think that a recording entitled Celtic Wedding by the Chieftains would be an appropriate choice right? Wrong! We bought this CD at a festival without paying close attention to the playlist. Had we done so, we would have seen that the music was for a

wedding in Brittany. In our defence, the cover really didn't make that obvious. The cover has since been updated and it now says Music of Brittany. Oh well. So, with the words of caution out of the way, on with the fun - but certainly not frivolous - task of choosing music for your ceremony. The first step is to consult with your celebrant, especially if you plan on a church ceremony. To avoid disappointment, find out early whether or not secular music is allowed. In the Catholic church, for example, your diocese may be very strict and only allow sacred music. So, as much as you may like Our Love Will Go On from the film Titanic, you may as well deep six it now. And besides, it does seem a bit morbid to have a song from a sinking ship played at such a joyful occasion - but you'd be surprised how many couples request it! We digress. What follows is a listing of suggestions appropriate to key parts of a traditional Roman Catholic Nuptial Mass, from the prelude to the recessional. The list can be easily adapted to an ecumenical order of service or secular celebration. Most of these compositions appear on recordings that are readily available and we have hot-linked those that we found on line. Many of them have been recorded by more than one artist; the majority of the ones listed here are from our personal collection. Multiple suggestions for each part of the ceremony are also offered.

PreludeHaste to the Wedding. Druidstone, The Vow - An Irish Wedding Celebration Madame Cole. The Chieftains, Celtic Harp. This piece was composed by Carolan in 1719 for Madame Coles wedding day. Love Theme from Tristan & Isolde. The Chieftains, Film Cuts Carolans Ramble to Cashel. Northern Lights, Celtic Odyssey Women of Ireland. Sunita, Mist-covered Mountains Barry Lyndon, Love Theme. The Chieftains, Film Cuts Neansa Mhle Gr. Clannad, A Celtic Tapestry An Chuilfhionn. DruidStone, The Vow - An Irish Wedding Celebration Celtic Melody. DruidStone, The Vow - An Irish Wedding Celebration

Mothers Seating & Candle LightingBelieve Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms.

James Galway/Phil Coulter,

LegendsSilver Threads Among The Gold. Phil Coulter, Sea of Tranquility Sliabh Na mBan Druidstone, The Vow - An Irish Wedding Celebration

Processional Bridesmaids:Circle of Friends/Air - Youre The One. The Chieftains, Film Cuts March of the King of Laoise. Sunita, Mist-Covered Mountains

Bride:Lark In The Clear Air. James Galway, Lark in the Clear Air The King of Love My Shepherd Is. We have this on a CD called Celtic Hymns. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be available anymore. If you would like to listen to the melody and read the words, you can do both here: Cyber Hymnal.

Processional. DruidStone, The Vow - An Irish Wedding The Pearl. Silly Wizard, A Celtic Tapestry

Celebration

Responsorial Psalm:S An Tiarna M'Aoire.

An Irish Wedding Ceremony. Claire Roche

Unity CandleGive Me Your Hand. James Galway & The Chieftains in Ireland Eleanor Plunkett. Deanta, A Celtic Treasure, The Legacy of Turlough OCarolan S Bheag, S Mhr. Phil Coulter, A Celtic Treasure, The Legacy of Turlough OCarolan Mabel Kelly. James Galway & The Chieftains in Ireland Alleluia. James Galway & The Chieftains in Ireland

Communion

Be Thou My Vision. A wedding text entitled God In The Planning is available from the Gather Hymnal published by Gia Publication, Inc. Chicago. As with the King of Love mentioned earlier, we have a nice version of this on a CD called Celtic Hymns. But we can't find it on line. However, you can hear the tune and read the lyrics that are usually sung here: Cyber Hymnal. B, a osa, im Crise.

An Irish Wedding Ceremony. Claire Roche

Sweet Sacrament Divine. Various artists, Faith of Our Fathers II Cad mil filte a iosa. Various Artist s Faith of our Fathers I O Sacrament Most Holy, Various Artist s Faith of our Fathers I

Flowers To The Blessed Virgin: Salve Regina. Various Artist s Faith of our Fathers I Ave Maria. James Galway, Christmas Carol Holy Mary Full of Grace. Various artists, Faith of Our Fathers II MeditationTraditional Irish Hymn Suite. Various artists, Faith of Our Fathers II St. Patrick's Breastplate. To hear the melody and read the lyrics, please click Hymnal.

Cyber

Blessing Prior to Dismissal: Gaelic Blessing John Rutter Gloria Recessional:Morghan Meaghan. Riley & Bob McNally, Celtic Odyssey Haste to the Wedding. DruidStone, The Vow - An Irish Wedding Celebration Bridget Cruise. Dominig Bouchaud & Cyrille Colas, Celtic Treasure, the Legacy

of

Turlough OCarolanTribute To Bunting. The Chieftains, Celtic Harp Carolans Concerto. James Galway & The Chieftains CEREMONIAL MASSES

In Ireland

For those of you who will be having a Roman Catholic ceremony, you might consider the following Masses, or parts of them. St. Patrick's Mass by composer/conductor Philip Green. Blending Gregorian chants with classical choir music and traditional Irish airs, it's a powerful composition that's best performed if you have access to many musicians, a great choir and a superb Irish tenor. Since that's out of the question for most couples, consider excerpting pieces from: The Mass of St. Francis of Assisi - Let Me Bring Love. While Mr. Green wrote this Mass for children to perform, an adult choir could easily evoke the same deep emotional quality of the simple melodies. And if you don't have access to a choir, but you can get a really good soloist who can lead the responses, then definitely consider: The Celtic Mass composed by Christopher Walker. As far as we know, The Celtic Mass has not been recorded, but the sheet music is available. When you begin reviewing music selections, we strongly recommend that you make two music lists - one for the ceremony and one for the reception. In addition to the title of the cut and the cassette or CD from which it came, you should include the length of each recording. This will make it a lot easier to calculate how many pieces can be used, and it is absolutely essential if you'll be playing prerecorded music. For example, the music played before the ceremony begins usually lasts for about a half hour. If it's within your budget, hire musicians who specialize in traditional Irish music. Or, if the location where your wedding will be held has a decent sound system, you could use pre-recorded tapes or CDs. If you are engaging the services of church music directors and/or musicians, send a copy of your music to both parties prior to meeting with them so that they will be familiar with the compositions you have selected. In turn, if you decide to use a composition suggested by your music director, he or she should provide your musicians with copies of the sheet music. In any event, allow plenty of rehearsal time The most difficult part of the task will be limiting your lists. Once you have made your final choices, we suggest that you dub them onto cassette tapes in the order they will be be played - ceremony on one side and reception on the other. Alternatively, if you have access to a CD burner, you could burn one CD for the ceremony and one for the reception. If you will be using a sound system for the ceremony and/or reception, make a tape or CD for each location and, as a precautionary measure, make two more copies as back-ups. You should then give or mail the tapes or CDs to the person who will be responsible for running the sound system. On the big day, be certain to have someone bring the back-ups to both the ceremony and reception . . . just in case. If all of this sounds incredibly time-consuming, it is! Allow about three months to make your choices and also take into consideration rehearsal time for the musicians. It will be well worth the effort.

Other Music Sources:Wedding Music from Jack and Vivian Hennesy's Irish Page; here you will find nine pages of music ideas - a page for each part of the celebration from an opening

hymn at the ceremony to a selection of festive tunes for the feast. Turn on your speakers and enjoy listening to what's on offer! The Wedding Album compiled by the Dublin Diocesan Liturgical Resource Centre. The music on this recording represents a variety of styles and resources and is performed by the Dublin Lourdes Choir, the Diocesan Music Group, Cana Musicians and Singers and a wide range of instrumentalists. Most important of all, there can be no doubt about it being appropriate for a Roman Catholic ceremony. The CD is available from Veritas and Cathedral Books. Shop on line here: Dublin Diocese. If permitted, you might also like to include The Irish Wedding Song. Written by an Australian, Ian Betteridge (who also composed the music), the piece was initially played on Irish radio programs and it has since become very popular at Irish weddings all over the world. Many brides of Irish descent are incorporating it into their ceremony, and they often include the words in their program so that family and friends can sing it together. If you are not allowed to include secular music during your ceremony, you might want to consider having the guests sing it to the newlyweds at the reception.