The Court House, Carndonagh

 
The Twilight Court -superstitions on trial


















Episode Six - The Twilight Court
Recording at 7pm on 13th November 2009, the Courthouse, Pound Street, Carndonagh
Broadcasting 29th November 2009, 6pm on ICR

Schedule:

7pm Court tales
One or two local legal eagles will be remembering a few of the more colourful tales that occurred in Carn courthouse over the years.

7.15pm The Twilight Court

8.15pm Eddie Lenihan
Ireland’s foremost seanchaí tells us some more about superstitions.


How does one manage to tell of the myriad of superstitions, customs and lore of this land in a manner that doesn’t overwhelm the listener? In the year that will have brought no less than three Friday 13ths, Rambling House has gone well and truly in to The Twilight Zone to create an alternative world where we’ve attempted to present the various tales and then let you decide on whether it is strange truth or bunkum.


The Twilight Court is a mock court trial under which superstition itself is on trial to be decided by the audience at the “court” on  the evening of Friday 13th November 2009. The question being asked is “is there any room in a modern age for superstitions?” A number of common topics associated with superstitions and customs are examined with an “expert witness” such a seventh son of a seventh son being cross-examined by counsel.  The topics include good and bad omens, births and deaths, love and marriage, charms and cures as well as fairies and sprites. Each one is examined and counsel debates the pros and cons for Superstition for Common Sense respectively. Whilst counsel for Superstition will be showing how each area should be regarded as beneficial and helpful to us all, counsel for Common Sense emphasizes some of the more unusual items and indeed the ridiculous ritual that comes with them. 
In between each of the witnesses’ expert testimony, there is a musical interlude with a song relating to the next topic to be examined. Audience participation is encouraged so heckle as you please. There’ll be more than enough curveballs to keep the “jury” on their toes and the tone of the night is one of good humour whilst delving into the deep treasure chest of strange and unusual lore out there. To the passing visitor or native, The Twilight Court serves a helpful resource in knowing how generations dealt with issues from warts to weddings, piseogs to pookas.


A fitting end to our journey around Inishowen. Here’s hoping we get to tell you more in the near future.


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