Our history and folklore columnist Eugene Daly share some of the lesser know past traditions around matrimony in Ireland. In the past the marriage banns were read from the altar by the priest on three consecutive Sundays. These called on the faithful to come forward and declare if they knew […]
At one time almost every housewife made her own wine. The only essential additives to wine not requiring to be stored are yeast, sugar and water. The most popular of the homemade wines were made from sloes, blackberries, elderberries, rhubarb, apples, beetroot, nettles, carrots and potatoes. Other homemade brews included […]

