Folklore and History in Ireland. 297
they rise and go out of the church againe to drinke, which, being done they returne againe into the church and then the minister beginneth prayers." Obviously something other than ecclesiastical spiritual assistance was needed to bring the worthy Corporation, as by law demanded, to the services of the Established Church ! In the north we get a soberer touch. At Carrickfergus not only were the freemen obliged to attend the Mayor to church on Sunday, but at each Quarter Sessions enquiry was made anent such attendance, and if the aldermen and burgesses " ordained to have and wear gowns " duly wore them " upon every Sunday and Holydays in the Church and the Court."
Sundays were not the only Calendar dates to be observed by Irish corporations, and as one of the sub-editors of the new " Brand " I wish to draw your attenton to these local observances, and enhst your interest and assistance. I merely mention the following as examples of what may be found — and when found made a " slip " of !
The Festival of St. George was an important thing once in Dublin, and Ledwich notes that on St. George's Day there was a great cavalcade in Kilkenny, " when the Lords rode in their places." This is interesting, taken in conjunction with the town's armed forces, for "in 1479, a military society, called the fraternity of St. George, was instituted for the defence of the counties . . . [Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Louth] and consisted of thirteen principal men, resident in those counties, who all met in Dublin on St. George's day in each year, and chose from amongst themselves a captain or leader." The societv ceased to exist in 1494 " not having been found to answer the designed end."
A custom that arose out of an incident in party feuds took place in Dublin on Corpus Christi Day. The Lord Mayor, as chief magistrate, had to walk barefoot through the city " in open procession before the sacrament " in expiation of the city's " execrable offence " — as the Leo-ate
