Festival to revive seaweed doll tradition

AN ancient tradition of a “seaweed doll” being offered up to Mother Nature will be revived in Co Waterford next month.

Tramore Oceanic Surf and Sea Festival from September 23-26 celebrates the feast day of St Michael, the patron saint of seafarers. St Michael’s Day traditionally marked the end of the tourist season and the end of the time for bathing in the bay.

Local environmentalist and historian Alan Walshe, who will host a historical session at the festival, said: “When Michaelmas Day came around the bathing ladies, who worked all season long, were a very important part of the set-up on the strand during the bathing season. Those same women played a significant role in the close of the season ceremonies.

“Traditionally in Tramore, the bathing ladies made a seaweed doll and went from house to house where they would receive a token of appreciation from the people of the town for their hard work.

“The weed doll had a few names — Michil, others called it Breedeen and a small few called it Father Neptune. After the parading of the town, the doll was taken down to the sea where it was cast out as an offering to the sea, a simple ceremony which drew the curtain on the bathing season in the town.

“It was said if the doll turns up in the Back Strand it would mean the next season would be a very good summer.”

The tradition will be revived at next month’s festival where a ten-foot seaweed doll “Molly” will be cast into the sea.

A host of fun activities are also on offer throughout the festival weekend.