Forget flowers: lovers in 18th- and 19th-century Ireland exchanged hair

Only a Lock of Hair by John Everett Millais (1857-1858). Manchester Art Gallert, CC BY-NC

In 18th- and 19th-century Ireland, it was common for courting couples to exchange gifts to mark their developing relationships. Many of these items are familiar gifts today: books, cards, items of clothing, jewellery and sweet treats. Others, however, are less familiar. In fact, some of the gifts exchanged by couples in the past might give many today the dreaded ick – especially those items of the hairier variety.