School: Snaidhm (C.) (roll number 11799)

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1. Fairs in Olden Times (continued)

   

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   called "custom" There is a place a short distance from Kenmare town called the "custom gap" Where the money was collected. The rate-collector always collected this money. To avoid this tax, buyers came through the country buying cattle at an appointed time + place + drink and food was taken to such places, even barrels of porter + whisky were to be found there. Fields + places where those fairs were held are still called "Páirc an Aonaigh[?]"
   Porter was cheap in those times as were cattle + people got drunk at fairs + didn't return home sometimes for a week. Faction fight took place then also + often people lost their lives. No man would dream of attending a fair without his blackthorn stick at that time. Besides these were bands (small) of robbers whose business it was to hide before the people returning with money from fairs + to rob them. Cattle were masked with "red mine" or hair was cut off their backs with a scissors or knife; bits were also cut off their ears as a mark. At that time women made stockings +

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. activities
      1. economic activities
         1. trade
            1. buying and selling (~3,622)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   D. Cronin

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Sneem, Co. Kerry