Burning the May bush

By Kevin Loughran

My memory

I remember on May Eve when we were children we went out and cut down a furze bush with the yellow flowers in full bloom, we brought it home and put it in the ground at the side of the house. We would decorate it then with primroses. The next night we would set the bush on fire and the seeds would pop and make a lovely display like little fireworks. Other people decorated a thorn bush that was growing in their garden with coloured rags on May Eve. 

We also put primroses on the doorsteps of our neighbours’ houses on May Eve so that they would see them when they came out on May morning.

When did this happen?

1950s

Where did this happen?

Collon, Co. Louth

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