MEMORIES OF THE BIG MARKET DAY IN DUNMORE
The following article written by the late Margaret Miskell, Adrigoole, was published in DUNMORE NEWSLETTER, December, 1997.
“I will always cherish those memories. It was held annually on the last Thursday before Christmas. It was a very special day for all the local people for selling their farm produce to help them buy their needs for the feast of Christmas. I well remember it all in the 20’s and 30’s – we children looked forward so much to what we called “buying the Christmas”.
In those days money was very scarce. There were no jobs and farmers had to work their land sowing crops, rearing cattle, sheep, pigs and fowl to make a living. The farmer’s wife would have turkeys, geese, ducks and chickens reared during the summer, and then fattened up for selling on the big market day to buy the necessities for Christmas. The farmer would prepare
In those days money was very scarce. There were no jobs and farmers had to work their land sowing crops, rearing cattle, sheep, pigs and fowl to make a living. The farmer’s wife would have turkeys, geese, ducks and chickens reared during the summer, and then fattened up for selling on the big market day to buy the necessities for Christmas. The farmer would prepare
Glynn's at the square of Dunmore
his donkey and cart or his horse and cart with a high crib, into which the fowl for sale would be put. There were no cars or tractors those days.
The town would be packed with people; men wearing caps or hats; wellingtons or nailed boots, and heavy coats. It was a great occasion for the country people to meet for “the ould chat”.
All the women would go to town in the evening with their big shopping baskets to collect the money from their husbands after selling the fowl. They would go together into their local shop to buy their needs for Christmas. The big baskets would be loaded with currants, raisins, loaves, jams, custards and jellies. These were purchased only at Christmas – that’s why we children looked forward so much to “buying the Christmas”. The men would buy 10 stone bags of flour, bags of meal and sides of bacon. The cart would be filled with all that stuff.
I cherish those memories – watching them coming with the cart of stuff. There was no electricity in those days, only paraffin oil lamps and candles. The town looked nice with all the windows lit up and no street lights.
Then for Christmas all rooms would be lit up with candles. Most houses would have a little crib lit up with small candles, and all the family would gather together and sing hymns on Christmas Night and Christmas Day.
There was very little money but the people were much happier. I can see a big change in the youth growing up nowadays.”
The town would be packed with people; men wearing caps or hats; wellingtons or nailed boots, and heavy coats. It was a great occasion for the country people to meet for “the ould chat”.
All the women would go to town in the evening with their big shopping baskets to collect the money from their husbands after selling the fowl. They would go together into their local shop to buy their needs for Christmas. The big baskets would be loaded with currants, raisins, loaves, jams, custards and jellies. These were purchased only at Christmas – that’s why we children looked forward so much to “buying the Christmas”. The men would buy 10 stone bags of flour, bags of meal and sides of bacon. The cart would be filled with all that stuff.
I cherish those memories – watching them coming with the cart of stuff. There was no electricity in those days, only paraffin oil lamps and candles. The town looked nice with all the windows lit up and no street lights.
Then for Christmas all rooms would be lit up with candles. Most houses would have a little crib lit up with small candles, and all the family would gather together and sing hymns on Christmas Night and Christmas Day.
There was very little money but the people were much happier. I can see a big change in the youth growing up nowadays.”
"Nollaig ghlas, reilig mhéith.
A green Christmas brings a full graveyard