Conway Mill Trust

Neighbors helping to save the turf or hay or other work was called a ‘meitheal.’ After the harvest was gathered the farmer usually gave a ‘harvest home’ party for the workers.  In some areas, as part of the celebration, harvest knots were made.  These were small twists or knots of plaited straw and were worn at the ‘harvest home’ party or dance. The last sheaf of wheat was brought home and hung in the barn for the feast.  Some made crosses  from it for St. Brigid’s Eve and others, believing it had curative powers, gave it to the sick animals or ground it up to use as an ointment to treat skin disorders.