School: N. Colmcille, Westport Quay (roll number 13145)
- Location:
- Westport Quay, Co. Mayo
- Teacher: Sean Ó Flaitile
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0137, Page 185
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- (continued from previous page)The cowhouse is whitewashed and has a manger to hold hay. The animals are tied to a stake by a rope which is called a halter. Some people tie cows with a chain around the neck. This is safer than the rope because you can hook it and there is no danger of the cow choking. If a cow is wild the farmer ties her horns to one of her forefeet with a rope. This prevents her from running away. St. Bridget’s Cross is hung over the cowhouse door to keep away diseases from the cattle. Some cows give more milk if you sing while milking them. Cows are very wise and soon get to know who milks them and if a stranger comes to milk them, they very often refuse to give milk to him. They also know the correct time for milking and when that time draws near they generally let the farmer know by lowing or moving their hooves. When(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Tessie Kelly
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- Clerhaun, Co. Mayo
- Informant
- Thomas Kelly
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 58
- Address
- Clerhaun, Co. Mayo
