Sméar Dubh

It seems to be a bumper and early year for blackberries. We have already had several lots of blackberry and apple compote and are finishing off the blackberry and apple crumble tonight. The largest and fattest of course remain just out of arms' reach. This entry from the School Folklore collection 1937 has the info:

Every body loves to go blackberrying in Autumn.
When people see the first blackberry of the season they express a wish - " Go mbéimid beó ar an am seo arís".(may we live this time again)
Another custom is, when the first blackberry is picked, it is rubbed on the nails of the fingers to keep them from getting sore for the year.
The farmers do not like to see a good supply of blackberries because it is a sign that the coming winter will be very severe.
Some farmers do not like any blackberries to grow on their land as they believe the fairies live beneath the branches, and they take away any delicate child that may be in the house.


Now will we go mad and have a bit of custard with the crumble?