School: Clara (2)
- Location:
- Clara, Co. Offaly
- Teacher: Bean Mhic Thomáis
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- XML School: Clara (2)
- XML Page 221
- XML “Old Trades in Clara”
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- (continued from previous page)Thatching -
There were great thatchers in the old days. The thatch was sewn on with straw rope. Peter often helped. The thatcher had a needle, an iron rod as long as that stick (Peters stick). He'd out it in his side (the outside presumably) and you'd pull it out and you'd put it in and he'd pull it out. The top (riggin) was done with "bobbins". They had to be hard. Peter could make a bobbin would cut your head.
Magee (no relation of the Carpenters See P. 69) was the thatcher who kept at it constantly and had no there trade. His thatch lasted 14 years before it let down a drop. Last thatch Peter had put on only lasted a year and nine months. Bill Flynn did it and it cost Peter £22 and 1/2 a 100 for scolls. He couldn't make bobbins at all.
There were any amount of thatchers in old times. Swords of the Hills was a great thatcher. He was hard to attend. He wouldn't have one straw longer than another. He wouldn't use much scolls except at the comb. His thatch would stand.
Stones and his father were thatchers.
Donaghue is the present thatcher but he is not a regular thatcher.- Informant
- Peter Flattery
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 83