Editing Portmagee (section)

==Traditions==
The "Old Year" celebrations originated in 1727 when a ship's crew arrived in Portmagee from [[Nantes]] during a heavy winter storm three days after Christmas. Some days later, the locals heard a deafening screech emanating from the end of the pier. The locals tentatively gathered to watch, assuming it to be a [[Banshee]], but discovered the crew of the French ship carrying torches on a procession through the village. An old, ragged man was at the centre, wobbling up the street. He fell three times, mirroring Christ's walk at Calvary, and was helped by members of the procession.<ref>https://moorings.ie/unique-irish-new-year-tradition-old-year-celebrations-portmagee-county-kerry/</ref>

At exactly midnight, a shot rang out, and the old man fell for the final time. Silence fell until a newly dressed man clad in white and a top hat lept out of the darkness and the music started up playing livelier. The procession began once again as the new man shook hands and gave kisses to the locals. He then gave a speech explaining that the old man represented the year just gone by and the new man symbolised all that was new as the year began.<ref>https://www.skelligmichael.com/portmagee-new-year-eve-celebration-custom-the-old-year/</ref>

The tradition has been commemorated every year since in the village on New Year's Eve.