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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Donegal => Topic started by: Carol Mack on Tuesday 16 March 21 12:02 GMT (UK)

Title: Pre emigration party
Post by: Carol Mack on Tuesday 16 March 21 12:02 GMT (UK)

Does anyone know what the party held on the night before someone emigrated called in Donegal? I believe it had a name which I have been told in the past but have now forgotten!

Thanks,
Carol.

Title: Re: Pre emigration party
Post by: gaffy on Tuesday 16 March 21 12:52 GMT (UK)

There are references online to the “American wake” or a “bottling”.

Title: Re: Pre emigration party
Post by: Carol Mack on Tuesday 16 March 21 14:48 GMT (UK)

Many thanks...I've heard of an 'American Wake' and a 'bottling' is a new one on me,but I've found what I was looking for...it's called a 'Convoy' in Donegal!

Title: Re: Pre emigration party
Post by: gaffy on Tuesday 16 March 21 15:30 GMT (UK)

This is one of the references I saw:

https://irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/news/ireland-xo-insight-ritual-departure

'A ritual unique to Ireland evolved to mark the departure. It was known by many names in different areas of the island – a convoy, in Ulster; a farewell supper, in Munster; the Spraoi (spree), in some Midlands counties; and the Drinking Bottle, in Donegal – but most commonly, in deference to the destination of the majority of emigrants,  it came to be called The American Wake.'