Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-12-18

Journal, who has been visiting places of
interest in Ireland, writing about the
fishing village of Claddagh, in Galway,
says:
The women have apparently made lit
tie or no change in their costume for
centuries; they still wear the crimson
petticoat of thick Claddagh frieze, a
tucked-up gown with red flannel vest,
blue mantle and red or white kerchief
on the head, and carry, of course, the
Invariable fishbasket on week days. On
Sundays the whole attire has smarter
look; fine white cap with perhaps q
handsome silk kerchief adorning the
head, and neat shoes and stocking COM
plete very picturesque costume.
The dress of the young women differs
gery little from that of the matrons, ex.
cept that they wear no cap or kerchief
on their head. The men on work days
wear the ordinary isherman's blue suit.
On Sunday they sport two or three fan
mel vests under a fine one of white cot
ton; over these a fine blue frieze suit,
the jacket plentifully adorned with horn
buttons; round, flat brimmed hat and
a fine silk necktie. Formerly they wore
in holiday dress blue plush breeches,
always open at the knee, and blue worsted
stockings. They arc remarkably respecta-
BILE lookingm and when they are in Sun
day dress, gathered in groups about the
harbor, talking over their fishing cruises
in their native tongue-which every in
habitant of the Claddagh speaks they
strike one as o superior race of people.
At the Claddagh, women's rights are
all powerful. Before the men set out
for fishing cruise the women and chill
dren crowd the stand, digging for bait;
the women help to mend the sails and
nets and prepare food for the men, who
as they are often out at sea for days to-
gether, bring with them potatoes, bread,
water and fuel, but 40 spirituous liquor
Is ever brought to sea, and from this
practice they are never known to de-
viate. 1t has always been remarked
that while Mt sea the fishermen of Gal
way bay seldom meet with an accident
or loss of life. This is due to their
great abstemiousness on these occasions,
to their skill and dexterity in the man
agement of their vessels, and-while
they are brave and hardy sailors-to
their avoidance of all unnecessary dan
gers.
When the fishers return from q cruise
they are met by the troops OF women aud
children, who loudly and joyously well
come them home. The wives regale the
men, whose cares of life cease the
moment they land. They have no
further property in either themselves or
the fish, which becomes the property OF
the women, whose rule on shore is su-
preme. 1t is the wives who sell the fish
and keep the money did not their hus-
bands with all their woldly goods en-
dow them when they married. 2-and the
good women do not fly in the face of the
marriage articles by ignoring their
rights. They are most kind and indul-
gent to the men; give them good, COM
Portable clothes, plenty of tobacco, and
as much whiskey as they consider good
for them. And must say the Claddagh
men appear to be well-cared for and
most happy and contented with the rule
of the wives, who arc said to be far
more shrewd and intelligent than the
husbands they keep in such good order.
The entire community bear very good
character. One of the Dominican
fathers, who lives among them, spoke
in high terms of their honesty, sobriety
and morality.
The entire population is Roman Cath
olic; a simple, pious people, whose de
votion in their church "Themple Maire''
(Mary's Chnrchl, which has been in their
midst for centuries, is very edifying,
During our recent visit we were 50 for
Cunate as to be in the town at the time
when the beautiful and impressive cere
mony of the sea takes place, during the
octave of the feast of Lady Day
in harvest Few even of the Galway
people are aware that this beautiful an
cient custom still prevails in their very
midst for understand that the Clad
dah people like to keep it amongst
themselves, in order not to attract con
course of military and other merely Gu
rious idlers to ceremony which they
carry out with much love and reverence
1t was by the merest accident that we
were enabled to describe what was 8
very touching and impressive sene-wit-
messed only once before, at Oestende il
Belgium, where the rite is carried out
each month of May with much pomI
and splendor. Here, in the poor Clad
dab of Galway, the very simplicity o.
the people and the surroundings ren.
dered it like scene of the early days ol
Christianity.
OF brilliantly sunny morning in Au'
guft the entire strength of the fishing
craft, not alone of the Claddagh, but O
the whole bay-some 400 boats, sail anc
oar-assembled in the harbor; in the
centre, with the entire fleet forming {
perfect circle round, was the only vesse
carrying a white sail, all the Others
black, but gayy dressed for the occasion
On board the white sailed boat were the
"admiral" and his crew and Domical
father, in the white robes of his order
The litany having been entoned, the re
sponses coming from all the boat
men and tho kneeling women OF
shore, and the prayers (Which are
to be found in the liturgy) for tn
special occasion having been said, tn
priest arose to bless the harbor, the boats
the fishermen, the women and children
grouped on the quay, and their homes
everv door and window of which la
wide open. AS the priest raised his hand
pausing few seconds before giving th'
benediction, every oar in the entire flee
was suddenly aud simultaneously erected
in salute, while at the same moment th
women and children kneeling on th'
shore, stretched up their arms TOWARD
heaven in supplication for its blessing OIL
all, remaining in this attitude while tn
benediction was solemnIy pronounced.
Nothing that have ever seen amids
all the splendors of the continenta
church ceremonials has equaled tina
moment in touching and simple grandeur