The Strawboys revival in Achill, County Mayo.
In Achill, County Mayo, many old customs still survive, including Strawboys. These groups of revellers gatecrash weddings, their identities camouflaged by conical straw hats.
Teachta Dála (TD) and former Minister for the Gaeltacht Denis Gallagher plays button accordion in a group of Strawboys. He explains the Strawboy tradition had all but disappeared on Achill Island until local competitions for the best Strawboy team revived the practice.
As a result of that they have been kept alive.
Traditionally Strawboys would gatecrash weddings but,
They were always very welcome, and they put on a little act, a dance took the bride out in a set or something like that.
The Strawboys would be would be rewarded for their efforts with a can of porter. They were happy and so were the bride and groom as
Strawboys were regarded as being lucky and they were always very acceptable to a wedding party.
Denis Gallagher notes that Strawboys have become fashionable again and they are very much in demand at hotel weddings.
This episode of 'Faces and Places' was broadcast on 8 October 1987. The reporter is Kathleen Watkins.
