ignored by Protestants in Ireland. The annual Orange celebration of the 12th July is, without doubt, the most important Calendar Custom of the North. I would like to write more fully of the garlands of orange lilies everywhere prominent, and all that I saw when I myself "walked " on one memorable 12th, but time forbids, and I can but mention the drums—beaten from early morning, not with ordinary drumsticks but canes, and so energetically it is by no means unusual for blood to stream from the wrists of the drummers; indeed it used to be almost a point of honour to go on drumming till it did! The drums are as significant to an Orangeman as blowing bottles—in lieu of horns—to the Nationalist boycotter. More local customs are the mimic representation of the Battle of Scarva, re-enacted every year, and the commemoration of the closing of the gates of Derry. The regrettable fights that in the past too often have marred these celebrations are, after all, Calendar Customs! They are but a variant of the faction fights[1] which have existed from time immemorial.
The characteristic points which will be noticeable in the new Brand, may be roughly summarised therefore: the importance of herbal lore; the prevalence of cattle-folklore; the marked distinction between married and unmarried, and the overwhelming number of local saints—whereof anon.
Many of the customs I have referred to, and very many more unmentioned ones, go to prove that Irish folklore must be well examined by any student who wishes to specialise on primitive social organisations. The distinction between married and unmarried enters very largely into Irish folk-
- ↑ If faction fights are as much "past" as some would have us believe. As late as the eighties the FitzGeralds wheeled for the Moriartys "for betraying the cause of Ireland." In other words, a sixteenth century tradition that the Moriartys betrayed the Desmond (MacDonough, Irish Life and Character, p. 57), and Harris Stone mentions a faction fight he witnessed in 1905 between the Joyces and the Martins at Clonbur (Connemara, p. 115). But an efficient Police Service—and there is no more competent body in the world than the Royal Irish Constabulary—has done much to end these "divarshions."
