Quote Originally Posted by neloon View Post
Collin,
As I said your summary is most interesting. I am a little doubtful about some of the Gaelic transcriptions e.g. I can make no sense of "Mac an toiche". This link, from Glendale - not far from Antigonish - suggests "Mac an Toisich" (Mackintosh) = "son of the chief" i.e. "chiefly".
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...a/customs1.htm
Some of the Gaelic spelling in that link is also idiosyncratic.

"Duan Challain" is actually a Christmas carol/lullaby - not about New Year.
http://carmichaelwatson.blogspot.co....mas-carol.html

I'm surprised that New Year was not celebrated twice - again on the 12th January - the old Highlanders never quite accepted the Gregorian calendar so, to make sure, two celebrations were held (sometimes still are!)

Alan
Alan,

Appreciate your input so much. All the Gaelic translations that I stated was taken directly from the "History of Antigonish County" by Reverend Randell, published in 1929. Regarding the 12th Jan New Years celebration, I know they did not celebrate that, as they celebrated the Epiphany, (often referred to as the "Little Christmas", this is when the three wise men visited the Christ Child). Remember these are Catholics, of which New Years Eve seemed like the biggest of the holiday celebrations. New Years Day is a Holy Day of Obligation, Jesus' Circumcision.