Superstitions

The people in Ireland are very superstitious especially in the west. The people say it is not right to be out after twelve o’clock because the day is for the living and the night is for the dead. If you break a mirror seven year bad look will come upon yow. If a person is going fishing and he meets a red-haired woman he will not catch any fish that day. If a stray cat comes to your house on “Christmas Day” you will have luck for the rest of the year. If a spoon falls a lady stranger is coming that day. If a fork falls a man stranger is coming on that day. If you see one magpie sorrow will come upon you. Two for joy, three for a marriage, four to die, five for silver. six for gold, seven for a story that can never be told. It is said if a cat has his back to the fire it is the sign of a storm. if a dog eats grass it is the sign of bad weather. It is said if soot falls down the chimney for a whole day it will be raining the next day. If a blue colour is on the it is the sign of a storm.

Collector: Francis Egan

Informant: Joe Keady

Place: Clifden, Co. Galway

Footnote: Duchas, http://www.duchas.ie