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Pancake tossing in Ireland

"The old custom of 'pan-cake tossing' still prevails in every district of the south. The accompanying engraving will convey an idea of the scene enacted on the occasion. The family group - and the 'boys and girls' of the neighbours - gather round the fire-side; and each in turn tries his or her skill in tossing the pancake. The tossing of the first is always allotted to the eldest unmarried daughter of the host, who performs the task not altogether without trepidation, for much of her 'luck' during the year is supposed to depend upon her good or ill success on the occasion. She tosses it, and usually so cleverly as to receive it back again, without a ruffle on its surface, on its reverse, in the pan. Congratulations upon her fortune go round, and another makes the effort: perhaps this is a sad mischance; the pancake is either not turned or falls among the turf ashes; the unhappy maiden is then doomed -she can have no chance of marrying for a year at least - while the girl who has been lucky is destined to have her 'pick of the boys' as soon as she likes. The cake she has tossed, she is at once called upon to share, and cutting it into as many slices as there are guests, she hands one to each: sometimes the mother's wedding-ring has been slipped into the batter out of which this first cake is made, and the person who receives the slice in which it is contained, is not only to be first married, but is to be doubly lucky in the matter of husband or wife. Men also are permitted, as in the instance pictured by McClise to have a chance; and it is a great source of amusement to jog their elbows at the important moment, and so compel them to 'toss the cake crooked.'"

From Ireland, Its Scenery, Character, &c, by Mr & Mrs S. C. Hall, circa 1850.

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