(no subject)
As young Rory and Moreen were talking,
How Shrove Tuesday was drawing near;
For the tenth time he asked her to marry;
But says she - 'Time enough till next year.'
Then ochone I'm going to Skellig
O Moreen what will I do?
Tis the woeful road to travel
And how lonesome I'll be without you.
St. Patrick's Day was once considered to be the luckiest day in the year to marry, and according to an old Irish saying, 'November is the time to wed, the harvest's in and it's cold in bed.'
Wait till you're eighteen to marry and don't be spoiling your growth. Irish proverb
There are twelve months in all the year, as I heard my mamma say,
Two of them I would choose to love, the months of June and May.
These are the months I choose to love, when the red roses spring,
And the other months I would choose to wed, when the small birds sweetly sing.
In Wexford, if a couple is described as 'mighty coonagh' they're going strong or walking out.
'Would you like to be buried with my people?' Co. Kildare marriage proposal.
What Irish magpies foretold: One for sorrow; two for mirth; three for a wedding; four for a birth.
Irish Justice: It was an abduction case, the offense being of a purely technical character. Having listened patiently to the evidence, the judge, Lord Morris, addressing the court said, 'I am compelled to direct you to find a verdict of guilty in this case, but you will easily see that I think it is a trifling thing which I regard as quite unfit to occupy my time. It is more valuable than yours - at any rate it is much better paid for. Find, therefore the prisoner guilty of abduction which rests mind ye on four points - the father was not averse, the mother was not opposed, the girl was willing and the boy conveynient.' The judge sentenced him to remain in the dock until the rising of the Court. Hardly had he delivered the sentence when turning to the High Sheriff, Lord Morris said, 'Let us go', and looking at the prisoner, 'Marry the girl at once and God Bless ye both.'
'Would you like to hang your washing next to mine?' Old Irish proposal.
To predict a prospective groom's fidelity, a maiden would boil an egg hard, remove the yolk, fill the cavity with salt, then eat it. She then had to go to bed without drinking anything or speaking. If her man appeared in a dream, and offered water to quench her thirst, he would be unfaithful.
Very old nutshell charm: Take two chestnuts and silently name them for yourself and 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 his chestnut should jump away from yours, you will be disappointed, and if your own chestnut should move, your love will pass.
Live in my heart and pay no rent. Old Irish proposal
The beak of the goose is no longer than that of the gander. Irish saying about the equality of men and women.
It's why women marry - the creatures, God bless them, are too shy to say no.
A young man is bothered until he is married. After that he's bothered entirely.
It's a lonesome washing that there's not a man's shirt in it.
O woman if you join my strong clan Your head will hold a golden crown. Fresh killed pork, new milk and beer, We shall share, O Lady Fair.
Blessing for a young man contemplating marriage: That you might have nicer legs than your own under your table before the new spuds are up.
At one time, single and newly married women would make a ball by braiding and interlacing hair from horses or cows. The ball was then presented as a token of affection to the loved one.
I'd wed you without herds, without money, or rich array, And I'd wed you on a dewy morning at day-dawn grey.
This custom from County Longford enabled a girl to dream of her future husband. Put three knots on the left garter, and at every knot say: This knot, this knot, I see, The thing I never saw yet. To see my love in his array And what he walks in every day. And what his occupation, This night may I in my dream see. And if my love be clad in green, His love for me it is well seen. And if my love be clad in grey, His love for me is far away. And if my love is clad in blue, His love for me is very true. Go to bed, place the knotted garter under your pillow, and you will see your future husband in a dream.
No match or race or dance there's been
Where throngs assemble on the green,
At which I've let myself be seen
Except well-dressed, from head to foot,
In clothes all chosen well to suit,
Just enough powder on my head,
On which a well-starched coif I spread,
And over that a hood of white
Graced with a set of ribbons bright.
The printed frock I wear I deck
With ruffs both at the wrist and neck
My scarlet cloak you'll rarely view
Without some aery facing new.
A faery queen might envy me
This linen apron which, you see,
Is covered with embroidery
Of plant and herb and bird and tree.
I'd sharp stiletto heels with screws
To lift the insteps of my shoes.
Buckles, silk gloves and rings add grace
To hoops and bracelets and old lace.
A Kilkenny saying for a well-dressed lady: The bee's knees and the spider's ankles.
It's said that if a bridegroom unbuttons one button of his britches at the right knee, the little people cannot harm him.
Long ago, Irish brides would never have worn a green wedding gown. It was thought to be a temptation to the fairies to steal the bride away.
Three slender things that best support the world: the slender stream of milk from the cow's dug into the pail; the slender blade of green corn upon the ground; the slender thread over the hand of a skilled woman.
A girl was engaged to a widower at Blessington in Ireland and the 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 a pending marriage to a widow or widower.
Buttonholes: This is what they call boutonierres in Ireland and it is the literal translation from the French.
I don't know why I put that in here, it's interesting tho. I already have my wedding dress and rings picked out. Lol. I know it's a wee bit early, but hell, I'm a chick, these things are fun to plan for me.
I have to get a job this school year, I have to save up for my prom stuff, which won't be cheap. I need to get my shoes as soon as I have the money, just so I'm sure I have them, then if Ronnie ever sells my cows for me, I'll have the money for my prom dress, and I can go ahead and get it, that way all I'll have to worry about is my hair and all that shit. My dress I have picked out is kickass.