Travelling Roadshow Superstitions
Stories about superstitions within travelling roadshow culture are deeply tied to Irish folklore, especially the beliefs surrounding fairies and the bad luck associated with disturbing them or their dwellings, known as fairy forts. Other superstitions, such as the bad omen of a bird flying into the dwelling or the danger of bringing certain flowers indoors, also form a part of this cultural tapestry, reflecting a worldview where luck and fate are closely linked to omens and unseen forces.
Some superstitions that were more associated with the Travelling Roadshow people were the fear of performing in a hall or venue that had ivy growing on the walls. This was considered as bad luck. Another superstition they held was that it was bad luck if they happened to be travelling from one location to another and they passed another roadshow along the way who were setting up or taking down their equipment getting ready to move on themselves. Indeed they tried not to pass out each other at all while moving from one location to another location. The old belief of breaking a mirror was believed to bring seven years of bad luck because the mirror was thought to hold a piece of your soul.
An itchy palm could have conflicting meanings. In Ireland, a left palm itching could mean money is coming, while an itchy right palm meant money was leaving.
Interference with fairy forts (circles of trees in fields) was believed to incur the wrath of malevolent fairies, bringing misery and bad luck. For a travelling roadshow, this could mean avoiding certain areas or ceasing work if they stumbled upon a fairy fort, out of fear of such consequences. There were also certain bushes growing alone on sites that would never be interfered with.
Smelling roses with no roses nearby was a death omen. Similarly, seeing an owl in the daytime or a sparrow landing on a piano were also considered bad signs.
Then there are fairy paths—invisible routes the fairies are said to travel. Block their way and you invite illness, trouble, or worse.
Two knife superstitions are. Never give a knife as a gift, the person will end up cutting themselves. Never close a Pen knife that was given to you open.
The superstition concerning the spilling of salt is derived from the ancient Romans, who used salt in their sacrifices and regarded it as sacred. I have heard that some showpeople considered it unlucky to use salt in a scene on stage. Some substitute had to be used or some show people would not perform.
Sending a letter with the postage stamp placed upside down was and still is considered as sending the recipient a token of bad luck.
The Travelling Roadshow families mostly intermarried and so many of the families were related through marriage but perhaps one of the most well known superstitions is tied to the rhyme ‘Marry in May and you’ll rue the day,’ or ‘Marry in May is to rue it for aye'.