QUERY1850
Lammas Day
By J. SANSOM.
Why was the 1st of August called "Lammas Day?" Two definitions are commonly given to the word "Lammas." 1. That it may mean *Loaf-mass*. 2. That it may be a word having some allusion to St. Peter, as the patron of *Lambs*. O'Halloran, however, in his *History of Ireland*, favours us with another definition; upon the value of which I should be glad of the opinion of some of your learned contributors. Speaking of Lughaidh, he says:— "From this prince the month of August was called Lughnas (Lunas), from which the English adopted the name *Lammas*, for the 1st day of August."
Topics: Lammas Day, Etymology, History of Ireland