Nettlemas

Nettlemas is an ancient Irish custom formerly associated with the first of May. The preceding day, 30 April, was called "Nettlemas night".

It is mentioned in Samuel Carter Hall's Ireland, Its Scenery, Character &c (1841), where it is described as "peculiar to Cork".[1] Hall writes that, on Nettlemas night, boys in Cork walked in the streets stinging one another with nettles.[1][2]

In Ireland's Wild Plants – Myths, Legends & Folklore (2017), author Niall Mac Coitir suggests that this folk custom was associated with "southern parts of County Cork" and compares it to a similar custom, known as "Stinging Nettle Day", in parts of South West England.[3]

References
  1. Hall, S. C., Mr and Mrs (1841). Ireland, Its Scenery, Character &c (PDF). p. 25. Another old custom prevails also to some extent. May eve, the last day April, is called "Nettlemas night;" boys parade the streets with large bunches of nettls, stinging their playmates [..] These are the only customs peculiar to CorkCS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Mooney, James (1889). "The Holiday Customs of Ireland". p. 393.
  3. Mac Coitir, Niall (2017). Ireland's Wild Plants – Myths, Legends & Folklore. Gill & Macmillan. In southen parts of County Cork, May Eve (30 April) was known as "Nettlemeas Night" when boys would parade the streets with large bunches of nettles, stinging their playmates [..] Similar customs were found in Devon and Cornwall, where May 1 (or 2) was known as "Stinging Nettle Day"
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.