Historical Celebration at Tramore Oceanic Surf and Sea Festival

A circa 1920’s tradition will be revived at the Tramore Oceanic Surf and Sea Festival which will take place from September 23 and 26.

The festival which celebrates the feast day of St Michael, the patron saint of seafarers sees some historical events re-enacted at the festival.

Michaelmas day originates around the autumn equinox which in Celtic Times marked the end of the harvest.  In Tramore St Michael’s Day marked the end of the tourist season and the end of the time for bathing in the bay. It was said the sea was for the fairies from October to June and June being the traditionally the start of the bathing season. 

Local Environmentalist and Historian Alan Walshe who will host a ‘Historian Session’ at the festival at 3pm on Sunday, September 26 commented, “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. In addition to their task of having to introduce the children of visitors to the sea for the first time, they also had the job of cleaning the clinging sand from the limbs of the swimmers and drying them. Those same women played a significant role in the close of the season ceremonies.

Traditionally in Tramore the bathing ladies made a Sea-weed 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 over the summer months. The weed doll had a few name’s ‘Michil, others called Breedeen and a small few called 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.”

This tradition will be revived at the Tramore Oceanic Surf and Sea Festival 2010, where on Sunday at the festival close a parade with a ten foot seaweed doll ‘Molly’ along the Tramore promenade will take place, ‘Molly’ will then be cast into the sea just like our seaside ancestors did almost 100 years ago.

‘Molly’ was kindly made by Cathy Hayden who will also host a ‘Working with Willow Workshop’ for children at 11am on Saturday, September 25 at Tramore Coast Guard Station, where participants will learn how to make a miniature seaweed doll. Molly is made of completely Eco-friendly materials.

According to Linda Tuohy Festival Chairperson, “The September 29 denotes an equinox and change of season, surfing conditions in Ireland improve in the autumn / winter season so not only will this traditional celebration of St Michaels Day in Tramore draw a curtain on the summer season, but now launches the beginning of a whole new season of surfing and winter tourism for the town.”

A host of fun activities are on offer throughout the festival weekend including, festival special menus at the towns restaurants, a mini surf film festival, a seafood foraging workshop, Rock painting and Beach games with the Middle Earth Venture Scouts, How to set up a fishing rod with Rinnashark Sea Angling Club, Rock Pool Exploration, Kite Surfing, Martial Arts Demonstrations, Beach Volley Ball, a classic VW Display, Beach Discovery Hike with Grace O’ Sullivan, a seaweed workshop with the Irish Wildlife Trust, Historian sessions and much more. A country Market will take place on the promenade area and half price surf hire & surf lessons will be on offer by all four surf schools.

The weekend will feature a full programme of activities for all the family a full listing can be found on www.oceanics.ie or follow the festival on facebook page Tramore Oceanic Surf and Sea Festival.

The Tramore Oceanic Surf and Sea Festival, is generously supported by Tramore Tourism, Failte Ireland, the Irish Surfing Association, Women In Sport Initiative, Oceanics Surf School, Waterford County Council, Tramore Chamber of Commerce, Tramore Tidy Towns, Circle One, The Vic Bar, Apple Brown Betty’s Cafe, The Natural Health Store, Lou's Place, Bay Spa, The Sandcastle Sandwiches Bar & Beach Shop, McCarthys Take-Away, Lake Tour Stables T-Bay Surf Centre, Tramore Surf Shop & Surf School, Freedom Surf School & Adventure, The Reef Surf Shop, Florries Fine Wines, The Grand Hotel, The Majestic Hotel, O’Shea’s Hotel, Splashworld, Runamuck, and Irish Rail.