May Day was very important in olden times. Over the centuries it evolved into a tradition which is almost forgotten in the modern world. The earliest May Day celebrations appears to have had an association with the festival of Flora, who was the Roman goddess of flowers. The first day of May was observed in many European pagan cultures as the beginning of summer. Similar to many other pagan traditions it was adopted by Christian cultures and accepted by people from all over Europe. According to some sources there was a custom in the ancient world of all fires being extinguished and then rekindled from a bonfire ignited on the eve of May Day. This ceremonial fire was lit by the Druids in honour of their god, Baal. Traditionally, the fire was located in the center of Ireland. However, when St Patrick arrived in Ireland, he lit his own fire and celebrated the paschal mysteries. The celebration of Easter then took the place of the pagan fire. It has been suggested that the May Day fire celebrations were transferred to St John’s Eve at the end of June.
There were many May Day traditions in Ireland. These included cutting down a thorn-bush and hanging it over the doorway of a house. The custom of the May Bush was believed to bring good luck to people who placed it on their home while at that same it repelled evil. It was usually burned at the end of the day, but in some areas the bush was retained for the month of May. It was sometimes decorated with ribbons. Others collected brightly coloured egg-shells and strung them together to hang around the May Bush. Eventually this caused so much rivalry that a law was passed during the reign of King George III to try and regulate the custom. The May Bush tradition was observed around Galway over many centuries. It survived in places such as Woodquay, College Road, Prospect Hill and Bohermore until recent times. In fact it is still observed by some people, but very few. There was also a custom where people collected the morning dew. The dew could be gathered throughout the month of May. It was collected in a dish or a cloth could also be used by spreading it over dew laden grass to soak. It was then squeezed into a container. The May dew was believed to have many great qualities and was used as a medicine and as a beauty wash. It supposedly prevented freckles, sunburn and wrinkles as well as ridding a person of headaches and was used as a cure for sore eyes.
Another tradition involved people erecting Maypoles at crossroads. People tied long coloured ribbons to the top of the pole and danced around it in a circle. It seems that during late medieval times in Galway a May Pole was erected at Eyre Square. There were other May Poles erected in convenient places around the town. May games were held annually and were attended by the Mayor of Galway and all the corporation members. All of them wore their official robes of office and were accompanied by their ladies dressed in the latest fashion of the day. The houses throughout the town were decorated with branches of trees and flowers. The May Pole dance was said to be a symbol of fertility and was believed to have been adopted from England. The games were preceded over by the Lord and Lady of the May, who were especially appointed for the occasion. The games consisted of various feats athletics such as running, jumping, weights and wrestling. One of the most popular games was called the ‘Tilting at the Ring’. This involved young men from all backgrounds testing their ability with a sword or a lance from horseback in a bid to strike an object while riding at a gallop. The most common objects used were a shield or board erected on a pole. It wasn’t uncommon for a knight wearing a suit of armour to act as the target. This game was often used as training for jousting. The games lasted for three days and the events were brought to a close by a horserace between the young men of the town. The race began at Eyre Square and finished at Blake’s Hill, near Knocknacarra. After the race they would dine at a spot located between the hill and Barna.
In some areas people scattered ashes on the doorstep on the eve of May Day. They would check for footprints in the morning. If they were turned towards the house it meant marriage, but the opposite direction signaled a death. It was also supposed to be unlucky to hear a cuckoo on May Day. Another very common custom was the scattering of flowers on the doorsteps of houses. These are mostly yellow flowers such as primroses, cowslip and marigold. It was said that the fairies wouldn’t pass flowers especially of this colour. It was dangerous to sleep to long on May morning as a child could be taken by the fairies and a changeling left in their place. People said that the fairies had great power and thus children, cattle, milk and butter had to be well guarded from their influence. In some areas hurling balls were decorated and given as gifts by newly married couples to the young men of the neighbourhood. These are just a few examples of May Day traditions.
