School: Valleymount

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1. Thatching (continued)

   

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   the house. Then with a thatching rake he cleans down the already worn thatch.
   Then out of the straw he makes what he calls "dulls" and with a thatching fork he puts those in rows each one fitted in close over each other beginning at the eave.
   Then when he has the thatching done he has to get a long piece of wire and with the aid of switches fasten's it on just a couple of inches above the eave. This keeps it in place and prevents it from rising up during wind storms.
   A good coat of straw lasts about two years without letting in rain.
   Thatched houses are much warmer and cosier than slated houses.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

2. Spinning Wool

   

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   A great industry in this locality long ago was spinning wool. First of all the wool was shorn off the sheep, then it was gathered together and washed and dried. After being washed and dried it was teased

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   Topics

   1. activities
      1. economic activities
         1. trades and crafts (~4,680)
            1. spinning and weaving (~482)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Sally Tipper

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Valleymount, Co. Wicklow

   Informant

   Mrs L. Mc Donnell

   Gender

   Female

   Age

   40

   Address

   Valleymount, Co. Wicklow