School: Ballyvongane (Measctha)

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1. Old Crafts (continued)

   

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   ing.
   As there is a number of thatch houses in the locality thatching is still common. Wheaten straw or reed is prepared and laid lenghtways from the eave to the top of the house. Twigs about two feet long are split, and pointed at both ends. These twigs or 'spars' as they are now called, are fixed parallel to the eave on the reed, and are bound firmly to it with other staple-shaped spars which are driven through the reed and the old thatch. These latter spars keep the reed in position.
   Long ago farm implements, such as spades, pikes, slauns, ploughs, harrows, gates, etc. were made at the forge.
   A spinning-wheel was common in most homes, up to about forty or fifty years ago. At that time most people kept sheep. These were shorn once a year, and when the wool was washed it was spun into thread. Some of this was kept for the making of stockings, and the rest was sent to the tucking mills, where it was woven into cloth.
   When machine-made ropes were very dear, many people used to make them of platted horse-hair. At present the only ropes made at home are 'spancels' which are tied around the hind legs of cross cows, to prevent them kicking while

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. objects
      1. clothing and accessories (~2,403)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Mary C. Cotter

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Leadawillin, Co. Cork

   Informant

   James Cotter

   Gender

   Male

   Age

   60

   Address

   Leadawillin, Co. Cork