St Martin's night:kill a cock

Subject: St Martin's night:kill a cock
From: chordstrangler
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 06:14 PM

I was down in my local pub tonight - John B's in Listowel- and I met a man who was well into his eighties who asked me if I was aware that this (Friday) was St Martin's night.

I told him that I was not so aware and he told me that this was a very significant date in the history of North Kerry. (Ireland). He said that this was the day when farmers culled their poultry flocks and killed all the cocks that were surplus to need.

Subject: RE: St Martin's night:kill a cock
From: Snuffy
Date: 07 Nov 03 - 06:28 PM

He's a bit early (at least according to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable)

St. Martin. Patron of drunkards, to save them from falling into danger. This is a mere accident, arising thus: The 11th November (St. Martin's Day) is the Vinalia or feast of Bacchus. When Bacchus was merged by Christians into St. Martin, St. Martin had to bear the ill-repute of his predecessor

We drunkards appear to be doubly blessed, for we also have another patron saint:

St. Vincent. Patron saint of drunkards.This is from the proverb:

If on St. Vincent's Day (Jan 22) the sky is clear
More wine than water will crown the year.