School: Duíbhlios
- Location:
- Deelish, Co. Cork
- Teacher: Seán Ó Súilleabháin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0303, Page 149
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- (continued from previous page)Light
The ordinary means of illumination before paraffin lamps came into use were Splinters and faggots of fir chips and candles & "dips".
When a suitable "scolb' of fir was found the fir was pulled to pieces in strips of varying lengths - some were 20" long and some 6" or 8". These were carefully stored in the [?] in the chimney corner so as to be dry and ready for use. They were lighted at the fire and took the places of matches for household use. (sgiotacáns & biors). A number of them tied together and stuck in a handle of some sort made a torch for lighting travellers outside use.
Melted fat of the goat or the sheep made the candles and dips. The dip was a peeled rush (triopall) - the pith was dipped in the boiling fat and stored away for use.
[drawing of candle mould on page]
Leaden moulds for making candles are still to be seen. Every household had one and they were lent around when needed. A stout cotton thread was passed though the mould
The molten fat was then poured in and allowed to cool and extracted as a candle. The operation of candle-making went on for several hours always after an animal had been killed - so that a store of candles was provided.(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Seán Ó Súilleabháin
- Gender
- Male
- Occupation
- Múinteoir
- Address
- Deelish, Co. Cork
