School: Ceathrú an Chalaidh

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1. Turf-Cutting (continued)

   

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   When cutting slane turf the turf cutter stands and works from the top of the bank. When cutting breast turf he stands and works from the logfull. Breast cut turf is cut when the turf is apt to be brittle, or breaks easily when cut with the ordinary slane. The difference between the slanes is this that the slane has a broigín or stern and the breast slane has no broigin. The foot or shoe is seldom used except when the top spit is being cut because the top spit is usually harder and tougher and wiry or stringy and wigs come on the top of the blade.
   The top spit or two or perhaps the third spit is pitched up on the bank and then the boys spread it with their hands or use a fork. A spit or two is also spread in the logfull if the bog or bank

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Mairtín Ó Riagáin

   Gender

   Male

   Informant

   Pat Regan

   Relation

   Parent

   Gender

   Male