Fairs and Assemblies in Ireland by John Lennon
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Fairs and Assemblies in Ireland By John Lennon at the dawn of our My own experience of Irish fairs began when history. Fairs like those of were the last remnants my family lived in Church Street, Poyntzpass of which had their Poyntzpass. The first Saturday of every month was then truly great gatherings beginnings in the of Ireland. were the last the 'Pass fair day and that meant that from early pre-history They vestiges of the 'Aonachs' of ancient Ireland founded morning, farmers from miles around would be on the great by These were the assemblies at which the business streets. Indeed Poyntzpass fair attracted dealers from kings. ofthe whole was transacted far and near and there were regular visitors from district, province, country was a in the business and fields. overseas. Traffic not then major problem and legal, social, political ? ? as was the streets and pavements were packed with bunches The aonach loosely translated 'fair' often a event which lasted for of cattle, pens of sheep and lambs, and carts full of magnificent anything from a few to three weeks or more as in the case bonhams, to the furtherest ends of the village and days, of the 'Aonach Taillteann' held in Co. Meath. beyond. The village housewives tried in van to protect biennial or these the fronts of their dwellings from the liberal 'splashing' Annual, triennial, gatherings ranged from local to and national events. of cattle being driven down the streets and from those provincial Another of our oldest and related kept waiting all day. customs, strangely to is that of wakes. Wakes as not The fair day was a day out for the community and fairs, such have died out but the and entertainment associated with the village's shops did a good trade, thronged with games wakes in former times have almost customers all day. Neighbours got all the latest news gone completely. Associated with the wake was the and in and gossip; small boys earned an odd "tanner" keeping funeral, Ireland a funeral is a occasion. A restless cattle together; dealers stood around spitting very public person's in the can be on their hands to seal a bargain or "splitting the standing community fairly accurately the crowd to difference" aided and abetted by "tanglers" who judged by following the coffin its last who have no with earned a pound if a deal was made and nothing if the resting place. People great affinity couldn't the deceased will still show respect by turning up at parties agree. ? the funeral not out of I but more There was a special atmosphere in the village on a sympathy, presume, out of a sense of or are to Fair Day. There was bustle and business, banter and duty obligation. Funerals be attended. meet at funerals ? bargaining, giving opportunity for shrewd judgment People people people are missed if don't It is as if and great entertainment for the non-involved. they attend. nearly there's about the man who seen at Such was Poyntzpass Fair for many years until it something suspect isn't the funeral of an in almost the same as gradually dwindled and was finally removed to the pens aquaintance, way the farmer who missed to the fair. and rings of the local saleyard. Not only did the cattle going As a race or a we and sheep disappear from the streets, so to did the nation would seem to be pre various char actes who went from fair to fair. The occupied with the dead and with death and funerals and ? fairs. At least a could be for sellers of agricultural equipment and necessities person forgiven thinking so and itwould not be without some binder twine, ropes, disenfectants, sheep dyes, good foundation. buckets, harness, coats and Our earliest and greatest fairs originated in galvanised waterproof ? connection with funerals all of them funerals of leggings. The 'quacks' sold cures for every ailment in man and beast or in earlier days pulled teeth and women! cured warts. The earliest and of our 'Aonachs' was * greatest 'Aonach Taillte''. This aonach was held in honour of The fair has gone from the village streets and while a the Mor. the inhabitants may not have regretted its passing, one Taillte, Spanish princess, daughter of Magh She had the of most learned of our oldest social gatherings has come to an end. For reputation being "the Druidess of the a saleyard is not a fair. It lacks the atmosphere, the Western World". She married Eochaidh Mac Airt around 2000 B.C. was cut and thrust of the real thing that had its beginnings Eochaidh AND 56_POYNTZPASS DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY killed in the Battle of A custom in Moytura. those days games. These were athletic, gymnastic, and equestrian and later, was that of 'fosterage.' Taillte brought with competitions for men, and not just physical a son her, foster from Spain whose name was "Lugh competitions. Intellectual activities took place as well. name Nosa Mac Eitlinn." Lugh gave his to the month Oratory, storytelling, music and poetry, as well as of August, to the Lugnasa Festivals and to Lammastide crafts such as metalwork, jewellery, making of armour and the famous aonach at Bally castle. Lugh became and weapons, spinning, weaving, and dyeing occupied on High King, and the death of Taillte he held a great and enterained the crowd for days. The spinning and aonach to honour his foster mother. By tradition the weaving were primarily for women who were not only was ? now family ofthe High King buried at Telltown encouraged to attend but were an important part of the ? Lough Crew between Oldcastle and Ardee about assembly. A marriage market became a feature in "Lag ? five miles from the confluence ofthe Blackwatcr and an Aonagh" especially at "Telltown" as the site the Boyne. became kown. na An 11th century manuscript (Lcabhar h-Urdhrc) To ensure a successful gathering, strict regulations relates:? were laid down regarding these Aonachs. Itwas known "The three cemeteries of the Idolaters arc the as the "Royal Truce." No one could be interfered with cemeterary of Taillteann The Select, the while going to, attending or returning from the games. cemetery of the Ever Fair Cruacha and the All fueds were set aside. Disputes of ownership and cemetery of Brugh (New Grange). rivalries were settled by the Ollamhs or lawyers at the was The host ofthe Great Meath buried in the fair. Women were not carried off against their will! middle of the Lordly Brugh. The Great Three things were 'taboo' during the fair:? used to at Ultonicans (Ulster Kings) bury (a) Making casts at random. Telltown with pomp. Fifty mounds I certify are (b) Riding through the assembly without ? at Oenach na Cruacha." Roscommon. dismounting. (c) over the left shoulder at the Lugh's assembly or fair was so successful that he Looking assembly when for food! ordained that it should be an annual event. He saw great leaving possibilities in the assembly. Anybody who was Three crimes strictly forbidden!? ? anybody in the country lesser Kings, chiefs and the 1. Theft of yoke oxen. ? people in general attended. Without media, no better 2. Slaughter of Milch cows. opportunities arose to let the High King's wishes be 3. Burning of Byres. known widely. During the fair or Aonach the people lived in tents These assemblies took on a ritualised or formalised or in the open air around the site. These sites (Aonagh) and function:? procedure were all at graveyards or adjacent to them. The To honour the dead. (a) glorious gatherings all took place away from any of the To taxes and tribute etc. (b) promulgate laws, settlements of the time. There being no towns as such (c) To entertain the people. in ancient Ireland the sites were chosen for some other reason than that of in a or centre of These began with a pagan ritual involving the raising being metropolis of a tomb or cairn or dolmen. Next followed the dense population (Pagan religious magical connec Most of the Aonachs were held in the lighting of a fire accompanied by dirges and chants and tions). great month of ? the of named a long drawn-out panegyric praising the deceased, August time year after Lugh. Cruacha in Roscommon was at recounting the family history, great deeds and exploits different being held ? or and on Hill ofthe individual, and involving the worship ofthe sun, Samhain Hallowe'en Uisneach the of Ward in at fire and other gods. This could take up to two days Westmeath Bealtaine (Maytime). Because of the of to complete. Following this the Chief Druid, with the great numbers people gathered or was so a assistance ofthe lesser druids, spaced throughout the together, barter trade inevitable and market also became a feature of these gathering, announced the latest new laws, bye-laws and gatherings. Livestock and clothes were amendments so that everyone was aware of his rights, horses, chattels, and jewellery and as well as food and drink. There duties and responsibilities. displayed sold, was even a market at This was followed by the final part of the marriage especially Taillteann ? ? to in the crowds of men and proceedings "the Curteach Fuaith" funeral (guaranteed bring women), POYNTZPASS AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY_57 where couples paired off in a most curious ? arrangements which if it worked out became a 2000 ? 111 recognised wedding and if it did not please the parties itwas dissolved at the next assembly. Thus the ? term "A Telltown or Tailltean wedding" a trial marriage and a quick divorce! An ancient manuscript referring to one of these assemblies notes:? i5oo- gss a "Three busy markets on the ground.