School: Coillte Mághach (roll number 12520)

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1. Old Crafts (continued)

   

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   kind of little doorway called a piúrghín which is used in kindling the fire, then it is closed until tests have to be made as to the result of the burning or until the lime is being taken out.
   Limestones of a suitable quality are broken fairly small- about the size commonly used in road macadam. Then the lime kiln is nearly filled with turf and a layer of limestones on top of this and then another layer of turf. Then the turf is fired at the piúrghin and the piúghin closed. Then layers of stone and turf succeed each other as the burning proceeds. In two days or so the kiln should be nearly full of lime which is then allowed to cool off for a few days before the lime is taken away. if the weather is wet the kiln is protected form the rain to prevent slaking in the kiln. To make good lime requires skill or at any rate experience. Too much heat is often as harmful as too little. The proper amount can only be judged by one who has experience in lime burning.

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. activities
      1. economic activities
         1. trades and crafts (~4,680)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Máirtín Ó Cearbhaill

   Gender

   Male

   Occupation

   Múinteoir