Sowing the Seed
Sowing the Seed is a Creative Ireland supported community project
in Co. Leitrim.
Artists Edwina Guckian, Brian Mostyn and Fionnuala Maxwell have been researching the customs and folk traditions of Ireland associated with straw. These strawing traditions usually propagate music, song, dance and devilment while the roots of these traditions and many associated customs within the Irish calendar year all lead back to the influences of the environment, climate and fertility of the soil. They greatly influenced social traditions of the rural communities and were directly connected with the daily and yearly routine of work. Some of these traditions are still practiced in Leitrim, others are now only memories of an older generation long gone.
Working with many communities across the county, these Leitrim artists aim to reach and revive many of these traditions as well as bringing modern day uses to them.
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Grow your own Strawboy Hat
To make a strawboy hat you need straw harvested by hand. Straw comes from oats and Leitrim land is ideal for growing it.
In Spring 2023 we will once again be distributing oat seed to communities across the county. You need 2 metres square of soil to grow your own hat but feel free to plant as much as you like. The more the better!
In Autumn, when you harvest your crop, we’ll be organising workshops and videos on how to make your own strawboy hat.
GET INVOLVED & COLLECT YOUR SEED
Modern Day Mummers
The tradition of mumming (calling to peoples' houses over the 12 days of Christmas to entertain and bring luck) was recently revived by the Modern Day Mummers. Dressed in their distinctive straw head-dresses they recreated the mumming tradition that many of these elderly people would have remembered from their own childhoods. They knocked on the doors of cocooners and played tunes, sang, danced and chatted before they moved on to the next house. In turn, the simple act of calling to the house provided a much appreciated break from the social isolation experienced by many of those visited.
The project began in the first lockdown of 2020 and continues today with many homes being visited this December 2021.
