School: Monreagh (roll number 7143)

Location:
Monreagh, Co. Donegal
Teacher:
R. J. James
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1105, Page 92

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1105, Page 92

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  3. XML “The Broom-Makers”

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  1. Long ago there was a great number of broom makers in the country. The broom makers went to a hill or moor and cut the long heather when it was out of bloom.
    Then he cuts long straight sticks for the shaft. He tied the heather with a bark of a briar when he has enough made he took a load out and sold them for 2d each as they did not last long.
    The old saying is a new broom sweeps clean but the old one knows the corners best.
    But not there are whisks and these men do not need to come round. The stuff that our whisks are made of now, comes from a foreign country and it grows like wheat.
    Long ago the floors were made of clay and these brooms were suitable for them.
    But now most floors are made of cement.
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. economic activities
        1. trades and crafts (~4,680)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    Gladys M. H. James
    Gender
    Female
    Age
    13
    Address
    Monreagh, Co. Donegal
    Informant
    Mrs M. F. Wray
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Derrymore, Co. Donegal