Are there any Irish housewarming traditions?

Answer 1

Yes, but I am looking for the rest of the tradition myself. I know that it involves giving a loaf of soda bread, paper bag and the change from the purchase, but I know there is a few more things in the bag.

AnswerI too am looking for the complete list... I know there is a poem that is to be included as well - it entails something like this... Welcome to your new home. It is traditional to welcome loved ones to a new home with the following items and blessing; a loaf of bread - that there may always be bounty on your table salt - that there may be some spice in living sugar - that sweetness will abound a sponge - something about cleanliness and godliness??? items in a paper bag with the change from the purchase - relating to fulness and enriching and some left over??? AnswerMy Grandfather came from Co. Cork and said it was done this way:

When you enter the home You should say "Bless all in this house."

Then upon presentation say:

"A Loaf of bread that this home will never hunger

Salt that this life will always have flavour

Wine that there will always be celebration and joy in this home

and a Candle, that all who dwell here will know the warmth of the hearth and the light of love."

Sometimes there was added a broom as cleanliness was next to godliness and sometimes the broom is so that the old broom from the previous home didn't "sweep the luck" from the new house and the change that this household never go without.

The last two aren't as common that I know of.... but then again, what part of Ireland do you want the tradition from?