May day tradition lives on

Castlebar woke up this May Day to find the traditional bunch of flowers outside many doors.

Last year, after doing his rounds for many, many years, Leo O'Shaughnessy of Market Square called a day on his involvement with the practise.

Happily to report, Leo has inspired a new generation who stepped up to the mark and flowers were placed at many town centre thresholds from early morning.

Now, the National Museum of Ireland wants to discover and document what May customs are carried out in your home, school or local area.

Some customs associated with the passing of seasons, like the making of St. Brigid’s Crosses or the wearing of Hallowe’en masks, have survived to the present day. However, some people may not realise that the arrival of summer on May 1 is still marked through a variety of traditions and customs in 21st century Ireland.

Traditionally, flowers are associated with the month of May and are believed to protect against bad luck. They are laid on doorsteps, window sills and pathways and in some areas people still decorate the May bush and build May altars.

The museum’s national online survey aims to record which of the May customs still survive. Members of the public are invited to take part and submit their traditions and observations of May celebrations. This information will help build a map showing the variety and distribution of May customs across Ireland and will provide a picture of how people continue to welcome the beginning of summer.

Visit www.ouririshheritage.org to register your local May customs and memories.