Food related extract from interview with Maisie and Bea Fahy, Dangan taken from Killererin - A Parish History

 

The following article has been put together for our Gastronomy Galway 2018 project.  Maisie passed away in 2002 and Bea in 2004. Most of the interviewees for our Parish history book were from a farming background and the common themes throughout are diet, threshing, stations, killing the pig, going to fairs etc. I hope you enjoy reading these extracts and that you get a sense of what life was like for past generations in this locality.

Maisie and Bea Fahy were two single ladies who lived all their lives in Dangan. These are just a few of their memories of what life was like for them growing up.

On St Brigid’s Day, 1st February, St Brigid’s crosses were made out of rushes and blessed in the church. They were put in the cow sheds and houses, to keep stock and people safe. On this day, a special currant cake was made and Brideogs would call to the houses. There would be music and dancing and people would give them money.

The lake at Horseleap Cross had lots of swans and men would fish with a line. They mention a lot of water in winter, and when the ice came they would skate on it. There was a spring in the middle, so it was dangerous at times. This passed the time, and there was a lot of snow then. ……..They kept hens, geese and turkeys. Eggs were sold to the shopkeeper and the bus inspector would also buy eggs from them. He used to check the buses going to Galway and Tuam. …………

A full account of Maisie and Bea’s memories can be read on Pps 455 –  456in Killererin – A Parish History which is available to purchase locally or elsewhere on our website.