“Tarrin” in Cappoquin
Waterford News 2/3/1900
In this connection, an old time-honoured, if objectionable, custom was
extensively preserved here years go, but, like most old customs, is now a thing
of the past, and it is no harm.
I refer to the custom of “tarrin” – the houses of unmarried men and
women as a punishment for allowing the Shrovetide to pass without getting
married, and when this was in vogue, the unmarried members amongst the
inhabitants used often remain up for nights watching their houses, but despite
all the vigilance, the “tar boys” were in most cases too quick, as could be
seen next morning, when a fine “man” or “woman”, as the case may be, would
adorn their walls, and which in many cases possessed a considerable amount of
artistic merit. Several newly-painted
walls were often destroyed in this manner with tar, and few can therefore
regret that the custom has fallen into disuse, as it did not even possess the
redeeming quality of ever, in a single instance, induce any persons to marry
for the purpose of saving their walls.