Salt Cake Note Set – Poetry in Motion Autumn 2026

Description

Salt Cake Note Set

Salt Cake Note Set is the autumn 2026 edition of Poetry in Motion.

Poetry in Motion is a project born from the idea of celebrating the words of a poet, alongside the handwritten words of the sender, to explore what connections such a combination could spark. I love poems that evoke traditions and community, celebrate community and explore Irishness.

And of course, I am eternally interested in the tangible quality of receiving handwritten words on paper and their potential to reinforce bonds that have perhaps been diluted by time, technology, or many other reasons.

This edition’s poem is by poet Emma Towey and celebrates the often hidden lives of women in Irish history and folklore. Much of her work is inspired by Irish history, particularly the lives of women, whose voices are largely absent from historical records. She likes to research official documents, such as Poor Law Minute, and other primary sources such as private letters and diaries, and capture the lives of women by reading between the lines, offer them a voice.

There were different ways in which women would carry out this ritual of salt cake itself. All involved making a cake with a substantial amount of salt in it. The cake usually consisted of oats, eggs and salt. The method varies, depending on where the stories are from. For example, there is an account from Cloonyquin, Co. Roscommon (from the Schools’ Collection records) where the first egg laid by a black pullet would be carefully kept for the ritual. There are other accounts from places in Offaly and Mayo that describe how the shell of the pullet was used to measure the oats and salt for the cake. Some records show that only one cake was made, while others showed that three cakes were made, one was eaten, one was left by the door (for the Aos Sí), and one was put under the pillow.

The belief was that the person carrying out the ritual would dream of their future love that night. That the salty cake would make them thirsty and they would dream of their future husband bringing them a drink of water.

– Mundy

 

Each set is hand-cut, folded and personalised in Kilkenny by Mundy Walsh, using local and sustainably sourced products as much as possible. 

Please read the Bespoke & Portfolio page for more details on personalisation and bespoke products.

All packaging is recyclable.

 

 

Salt Cake by Emma Towey

Soft hazel curls fall around her shoulders,
tired from carving the stubborn turnip.
His dense features harboured more than the half light.

She cuts a second helping of salty cake,
and another small slice for the Aos Sí.
She retires without the nightly cup of tea,
hoping for dreams of rivers or streams
and the man who would quench her thirst.

 

Poetry copyright Emma Towey.

 

Salt Cake Note Set:

Envelopes 10.3 x 15cm approx.

Notes 9 x 14.5cm approx.

All shipping is tracked (except for a single note on it’s own, which is sent by standard post).

 

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Stationery made in Ireland.