from Compositions by Christy McNamara
I remember our cousin Kevin O’Brien telling me that as a Strawboy he had danced 40 brides! Let me explain that to you here.
The tradition of Strawboys was very much alive and well when I was growing up in Crusheen. Strawboys would come to the home-coming party of a local bride after her wedding day, dressed in straw costumes and in disguise. I became one of the musicians along with my father Joe and uncle Paddy for our local Strawboys. On getting to the house the floor would be cleared and musicians lined up to play for a Caledonian set by the Strawboys. Kevin’s job would be to dance the bride in the set and he was a good dancer. When the set was over the Strawboys would leave in full costume so as not to reveal their identity. The new bride and groom would issue an invitation for them to come back in to the party to Kevin.
Returning later dressed in our civilian clothes the party would get into full swing with music, songs and dancing going on well into the night. This tradition is still alive and well in parts of Clare. I dedicate this to the memory of Kevin O’Brien of Cappafean. Crusheen, County Clare.
