Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

First published in 1972 this volume describes how the round of the year, with its cycle of festivals and seasonal work, was observed in the Ireland of yesterday. We follow the rhythm of the year from New Year to Easter, May Day to Harvest and Christmas along the chain of high days and feast days, St Brighid's Day, The Borrowed Days, Midsummer, St Swithin's Day, Lúnasa, The Pattern Day, Samhain, Martinmas and Christmas, fishing boat - belief and usage - feasting and merrymaking. Picturesque customs are revealed - some forgotten, some forbidden, some still familiar, such as 'the making of St Brighid's cross - marriage divinations - watching the dancing of the sun on a hilltop on Easter morning - going to the Skelligs - cock-throwing - bullbaiting - herring processions - the swimming of the horses on Lunasa - and many others. A multi-coloured tapestry. Kevin Danaher has drawn on a wide variety of sources and on more than thirty years research into Irish folk tradition. He is the author of In Ireland Long Ago, Gentle Places and Simple Things, Irish Country People, Folktales of the Irish Countryside and The Pleasant Land of Ireland.

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Caoimhín Ó Danachair, also known as Kevin Danaher, was a renowned figure in Irish folklore and ethnology. Born in 1913 in Limerick, Ireland, he distinguished himself as an academic, earning his BA from University College Dublin (UCD) and further honing his expertise in folklore and ethnology in Germany as an Alexander von Humboldt Scholar. His service as a captain in the Irish Defence Forces during World War II added another layer to his multifaceted career. In his professional life, Ó Danachair made significant contributions to the Irish Folklore Commission, particularly in preserving Irish musical traditions and recording the last native speakers of Manx. His academic prowess was further evidenced by his influential role as a lecturer at UCD, where he inspired a generation of students. Ó Danachair was also a prolific author, with many of his important works on Irish folklore published by Mercier Press. His bibliography includes notable titles such as 'In Ireland Long Ago', 'Irish Customs and Beliefs', 'Irish Country People', 'Folktales from the Irish Countryside', 'The Pleasant Land of Ireland', 'The Year in Ireland', 'Foirgneamh na nDaoine: Ireland's Vernacular Architecture', 'A Bibliography of Irish Ethnology and Folk Tradition', 'That's How it Was', and 'The Children's Book of Irish Folktales'. These works are highly regarded for their in-depth exploration and vivid depiction of Irish traditions and folklore. They serve as academic resources and cultural treasures that preserve Ireland's rich heritage for posterity. His personal life was marked by his marriage to Anna Mary Ryan and his role as a father to two sons. Ó Danachair's death in 2002 was a significant loss to the academic and cultural spheres. However, his legacy continues through his contributions to the field of folklore and his efforts to keep Irish culture alive. His final resting place is in St Fintan's Cemetery, Sutton, Dublin, where he lies as a testament to a life dedicated to preserving and celebrating Irish cultural history.