May Day tradition still blooms for Eileen
‘HOW each field turns a street; each street a Park
‘Made green, and trimm’d with trees: see how devotion gives each House a Bough…’
THE ancient tradition of celebrating May Day, so beautifully conveyed in the lines of Robert Herrick’s 17th century poem, is alive and well in Tralee thanks to 84 year old Eileen Cotter from Cloonbeg Terrace who on Monday morning marked the ancient custom with a green garland on her front door.
“I used to do it years ago and it was only Monday morning when I thought of my late neighbour, Tony Gorman, and how he used to have a wreath out every year that I said to my son, Dermot, that I must do it,” said Eileen.
The tradition of hanging a ‘May branch’ coincides with the ancient Irish festival of Bealtaine and was a popular custom in rural parts of Europe from the Middle Ages to the 20th century when dwellers welcomed visitors and the new season. Another tradition is that people would rise before dawn to gather as many May flowers as possible, which were then bundled together and hung on doors to ward off evil spirits.
Eileen added: “I remember as a child there would be great excitement and all the people would head to Ballyseedy Wood where there would be music and dancing. Even at that time it was a tradition among the older people. I’m not even sure people put the green wreath on their doors anymore. Please God I’ll be here to do it next year again.”