The Irish Question........!!

[OUTSIDER]

No not that one.....I've been asked by a friend who's just watched the film "Angela's ashes" about an Irish custom that I know nothing about (I might be half Irish but I've lived my whole life in London).

In the film (which I haven't seen) the women come out of their houses to throw buckets of water in front of the cart carrying the body of the character the film is named after, do any of you guy's know more about this custom and can you tell me about it ?

 

[*Lazer*]

I just read the book and I don't recall it being mentioned. There was mention of buckets being emptied into the latrine at the end of lane next to their flat. I am puzzled.

 

[OUTSIDER]

I've not read the book or seen the film but my friend who knows I'm half Irish asked me if I knew why they did that and I said it was new to me but that I'd ask here.

I'm not really into that type of film so it's doubtful I'll ever see it for myself but I know a lot of people will have seen it and I'm guessing at least one of you scholars will know.

 

[Natalie Nessus]

.

 

[sigh]

i have no knowledge of the custom, movie or book, but i just have to say something...

outsider, that balls-in-a-bikini pic is one of the least attractive i've ever seen...lol

(keep up the good work)

 

[shadowsource]

I like those balls!

I think you should feature them on your new ID card. Perhaps with a Tony Blair badge....

 

[Creidhne]

The bucket of water is meant to keep death from coming to your door.

I'll call some older relatives to confirm, but I think this is correct.

MS.

 

[OUTSIDER]

i have no knowledge of the custom, movie or book, but i just have to say something...

outsider, that balls-in-a-bikini pic is one of the least attractive i've ever seen...lol

(keep up the good work)

Three cheer's for the old red white and blue balls

 

[*bratcat*]

 

[OUTSIDER]

Just for you the girly version.

 

[Natalie Nessus]

.

 

[TygerEyez]

Creidhne might be right. Or they could have drawn it from an old Pagan custom.

In Pagan times the dead were washed using water from a sacred well or by sea water to protect them while passing through the realms of water to the land under wave (Tir-fo-Thonn). I'm trying to look through my Celtic information books on what Tir-fo-Thonn is, but all I've come up with so far is that it's an elemental land, associated with Tir-na-Og, or other such lands.

 

[Mellon Collie]

The bucket of water is meant to keep death from coming to your door.

I come from a very irish family and most of them agree. But I don't know for sure.

 

[OUTSIDER]

It's certainly an interesting one, i've asked my dad and he says he's heard of it but can't say why they used to do it.

 

[Debbie]

I'm quarter irish, Irish people can be very superstitious. They believe it keeps the evil spirits, the grim reaper, the collector of souls etc from their own doorstep.