Help: Research on Mumming in Ireland

Subject: Research on Mumming in Ireland
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 27 Jun 02 - 10:36 AM

I'm afraid this message was getting lost in the general discussion in the "wrenning thread" where I originally placed it. So I think it deserves its own thread. Mumming is not especially an Irish custom, but this study looks at the custom as practised in Ireland.

The Folklore Dept. of University College Dublin, in conjunction with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the University of Ulster has a three-year research project called 'Room to Rhyme'. The Aughnakillymaude Community Mummers of County Fermanagh are also associated with the project. While wrenning is but a small aspect of the research, I thought that this thread has more of an Irish focus than the several threads in which mumming is discussed. I think the researchers want to discuss Christmas mumming and related customs in relation only to Ireland. Larry, you might want to get in touch and see if they have an interest in the customs being retained by Irish people abroad.

I will quote now from the preface to the questionnaire, which is available in both English and Irish from 'Room to Rhyme', Dept. of Irish Folklore at University College, Belfield, Dublin 4. tel: (giving international code) [phone], fax: [phone]. e-mail: criostoir.maccarthaigh.ucd.ie :

" The Mummers or Christmas Rhymers "Mumming has been a feature of life in various parts of Ireland for centuries and the Christmas Mummers ('Christmas rhymers' of 'Hogmanay men' as they were also known) were once a familiar sight in many places. Christmas Mummers, Wren Boys and, to a lesser extent, Biddy Boys were particuarly long-lived phenomena in communities distributed along the border from Dundalk to Sligo and from Sligo to Derry, across Ulster, north Leinster and north Connacht. The tradition is well remebered in many areas and persists until the present day in certain loclities. This questionnaire seeks to document past and present-day expressions of that tradition.

"...We wish to enlist your help in gathering reliable local information about different aspects of mumming [by answering specific questions both about the mummers groups and about the nature of the performance]... ...Photographs, posters or any documentation and objects relating to mumming will be gratefully received, and copied and returned if so required. ..."

Subject: RE: Help: Research on Mumming in Ireland
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jun 02 - 11:17 AM

And I always thought that mumming in Ireland was exclusive to County Wexford and parts of Co Kildare.Just shows ye, you learn something new every day.

Subject: RE: Help: Research on Mumming in Ireland
From: Alice
Date: 22 Jul 02 - 11:12 AM

Thanks for posting this, Philippa. I missed it the first time. Is there anything in Room To Rhyme referring particularly to Leitrim?

Subject: RE: Help: Research on Mumming in Ireland
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 22 Jul 02 - 12:42 PM

No, but this is just an introductory document inviting people to participate in the survey.

Subject: RE: Conference on Mumming in Ireland
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 22 Jul 02 - 01:45 PM

Source Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages, U. of Ulster
Mumming Traditions in Cross-Border and Cross-Community Contexts

"An international conference focussing on mumming traditions in cross-border and cross-community contexts will be held at the Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages, University of Ulster, Londonderry, from 7-12 April 2003.

"The Conference is being organised in cooperation with Room to Rhyme, a collaborative mumming project undertaken by University College Dublin (Department of Irish Folklore), University of Ulster (Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages & the School of Languages and Literature), and the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum (Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland).

"A panel of specially invited speakers from Europe and North America will address issues relating to mumming in a variety of cross-border and cross-community contexts. Additional elements of the programme will also be held in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh and Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

"Details of the conference programme can be accessed at www.arts.ulst.ac.uk/academy/ or by contacting Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Department of Irish Folklore, University College, Belfield, Dublin 4, Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone], Fax: [phone]."

Subject: RE: Help: Research on Mumming in Ireland
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 06 Dec 02 - 01:40 PM

There will be a gathering of mummers performing at Magee College, Derry, tomorrow 3 pm. (I don't expect to be there, will be out rambling.)

Subject: RE: Help: Research on Mumming in Ireland
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha
Date: 07 Dec 02 - 01:30 PM

Phillipa, You forgot to include the Armagh Mummers, they have been around for years. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Help: Research on Mumming in Ireland
From: Felipa
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 03:15 PM

the date of the seminar may have been changed; I saw a June date given at the website www.arts.ulst.ac.uk/academy/events.htm
so do double check