TITLE: Irish Mummers Mask
TYPE: face mask
GENERAL REGION: Europe
COUNTRY: Ireland
SUBREGION: N/A
ETHNICITY: Irish
DESCRIPTION: Mummers Mask
CATALOG ID: N/A
MAKER: N/A
CEREMONY: Advent; theatre
FUNCTION: Celebration; Entertainment
AGE: N/A
MAIN MATERIAL: N/A
OTHER MATERIALS: N/A

Ireland has an ancient tradition of mumming, or masquerade, involving storytelling and music. Mummers traditionally wear suits and hats of rags or straw. The masks are traditionally made of straw or cloth. The stories and characters may originate in Italian Commedia dell’Arte or Irish or British history, folklore, or mythology. The performances may occur in public houses or clubs, typically at a local festival or holiday, such as St. Stephen’s Day (e.g., Mummers of Fingal), or during Advent (the four days before Christmas) (e.g., Armagh Rhymers). The drama is usually accompanied by musical instruments, including the banjo, violin, tin whistle, or bodhran drum. Historically, the mummers would receive compensation in the form of money or drinks.

The Museum’s collection currently includes no representative example of any Irish mask.