Local Marriage Customs
18th May 1938
The marriage of my uncle and aunt took place a year ago in the parish of Balla, in the month of April. They had 4 motorcars and thirty of the nearest relations with them. They were married at 4-o'clock in the afternoon.
After the marriage they went for a drive to Mayo Abbey, and on to Belcarra, Manulla, Keelogues, Ballyvary, Loughkeerán, and home at 9-o'-clock. There was a fire of straw at the arrival. When they arrived supper was served. There were about 50 couples in all. The wedding cake was divided. There was plenty of eating and drinking, every body was maith-go-leór.
There was good music and dancing. My father is a good flute player and he danced a set with Mrs Anthony Brady. It was great fun. At about 12-o'-clock 3 crowds of straw boys came. They came in and danced. They got plenty of stout to drink. They were dressed well. My uncle and his wife went in the door together as it is considered unlucky for the man to enter first.
“INFORMANT: Mrs Ruane, Age 50, Tawnagh More, Co. Mayo”