Folklore in focus at library
IF you can spare an hour away from Christmas shopping on Thursday December 19, why not nip into Wexford Library at 1pm for a free lunchtime talk and screening event which showcases a new collection of folklore by Michael Fortune which has been produced in association with Wexford Library Services and five Men’s Shed Groups in Killanerin, Bunclody, Enniscorthy, Kilrane/Rosslare Harbour and Taghmon.
The hour long event is the culmination of almost four months work where the men undertook a Folklore on Film Training Programme with Michael where they were introduced to and trained in the process of collecting folklore on film. At the event a limited edition DVD box set will be launched which features over six hours of edited and catalogued material. At the launch a specially edited 45 minute compilation has been produced to provide a flavour of the wide range of topics and themes recorded throughout the county.
The collection is brought to life by first-hand accounts relayed by the men on camera which highlights the rich and varied cultural diversity within the county. For example you will hear specific fishing, farming and funeral customs from the Killanerin/Castletown area of northeast Wexford while further west in Bunclody we have some incredible accounts of Hunting the Wren on St. Stephen’s Day, a tradition not found in other parts of Wexford.
In Enniscorthy we hear about some very rare Christmas, Hallowe’en and Shrove Tuesday customs which the participants assumed were common all over the country.
In Taghmon Michael was greeted with a host of words, sayings and expressions still in use by people from the area. One such word, a ‘bolldoon’, meaning tomcat, is used in the title of the collection.
Lastly, in Killrane/Rosslare Harbour there are some great recordings of maritime and social history from the area.
These include the rescue of the crew from the Mexico in 1914 and an account of when Rosslare Fort was washed away and the affected families moved to what is now Rosslare Harbour where they built a collection of new houses which today are still referred to as Tintown and Strawtown.
The DVDs will be available to borrow from Wexford
Library in the New Year while excerpts have been and will continue to be shared online at www.facebook. com/folklore.ie. However, nothing beats the experience of seeing and hearing about the material in person so chalk down the date in your diary and come along on to Wexford Town Library Thursday to view the films and meet the men involved.
Admission is free, refreshments will be provided and all are welcome. Please note booking is essential for this event, so please phone 053 919 6760 to reserve a space. Should you require additional supports to enable you to fully participate in this or any library event, please contact the librarian.
This project is funded through the Dormant Account Funds via the Department of Rural and Community Development with the support of Wexford County Council and in association with Wexford Men’s Shed Ireland and folklore.ie