Committee on Ulster Folklife and Traditions Schools Collection

Reference code: HOYFM.ACL2023.1
Level of description: Fonds
Title: Committee on Ulster Folklife and Traditions Schools Collection
Scope and content: The Irish Folklore Commission's success in 1937, which involved gathering responses from schoolchildren in National Schools about folklore, inspired the Committee on Ulster Folklife and Traditions, established in 1952, to undertake a similar project for schools in Northern Ireland. Estyn Evans, the Chairman, consulted with Professor Delargy and Sean O'Sullivan, the Director and Archivist of the Irish Folklore Commission, regarding the methodology and sample forms to be used.

In December 1954, the Committee sought financial assistance from the Ministry of Education. While the Ministry declined to fund the printing of the planned booklet for distribution to schools, they were willing to provide writing supplies and file covers to participating schools through the Local Education Authorities.

R. Harris prepared questionnaire booklets, and because of exam pressures in grammar schools, the appeal was limited to primary schools. Teachers conveyed the topics to the pupils, who then interviewed older community members.

By May 1956, the Ministry of Education confirmed that 146 schools had inquired and received writing supplies to complete the project. Of this number, less than 50 returned completed material. There is at least one sample from every county in Northern Ireland.

The subjects covered in the project included:
1. Settlement
2. The District
3. Farms
4. Hunting & Fishing
5. Livestock
6. Houses
7. Agriculture
8. Crafts, Trade & Industries
9. Housekeeping
10. Communications
11. Trade & Commerce
12. The Community
13. Kinship
14. Schools
15. Emigration
16. Suggested Essays (e.g., describe what a father would teach his son, or how an important local character would treat others or spend his day)
17. Christenings & Baptisms
18. Marriage
19. Traditions (Forts)
20. Traditions (Buildings)
21. Ghosts
22. Witches
23. Fairies
24. The Future (foretelling)
25. Festivals (Easter, May Day, Harvest, Hallowe’en, Christmas)
26. Illness (cures, charms, etc.)
27. Wildlife
28. Vegetable Life (plants used for cures, food, and customs related to specific plants)
29. Natural Features
30. The Weather (proverbs, Big Wind)
31. Funerals
32. Stories about People (e.g. famous historical figures like the O’Neills)
33. Folk Literature
34. Historical Tradition (old castles, local battles, etc.)

Schools that participated included Cranfield Primary School (Kilkeel), Holywood Intermediate School, Downshire Dundrum Primary School, Londonderry Primary School (Newtownards), Lisnashanker Primary School (Dromore), Victoria Primary School (Newtownards), Downshire Primary School (Dundrum), St. Malachy’s Girl’s Secondary Intermediate School (Castlewellan), Ardglass Intermediate School, Legacurry Primary School (Lisburn), Clogher Primary School, Cambridge House School (Ballymena), Upper Ballinderry School, Mullindreen Primary School (Ballymena), Ligoniel Primary School (Belfast), Orangefield School (Belfast), St. Mary’s Training College (Belfast), Wolfhill Primary School (Belfast), Markethill Primary School (Armagh), Newtownhamilton Intermediate School (Armagh), Portadown Convent Primary School, Thomas Street Co. Primary School (Portadown), Killean Boys' School (Cloughoge, Newry), Clonalig Primary School (Crossmaglen), Taniokey Primary School (Poyntzpass), Lurgan College (Lurgan), Londonderry High School, Blackhill Primary School (Draperstown), St. Patrick’s Pennyburn Girl’s Primary School (Londonderry), Eglinton Primary School, Corlecky Primary School (Maghera), Lisnacreagh Primary School (Garvagh), Coolshinney Primary School (Magherafelt), St. Anne’s Convent School (Kilrea), Moneyneena Primary School (Draperstown), Bancran Primary School (Draperstown), Dungiven Primary School, Gorran Primary School (Coleraine), Irvinestown Boys' School (Irvinestown), Tattygar Primary School (Lisbellaw), Aghadrumsee Primary School (Coranny), Enniskillen, Cormagague Primary School (Magheraveely), Drumclamp Primary School (Castlederg), and Dervaghroy Primary School (Gortaclare, Omagh).

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