School: Laragh (B.)
- Location:
- Larah, Co. Cavan
- Teacher: P. Ó Briain
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0981, Page 107
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- XML School: Laragh (B.)
- XML Page 107
- XML “The Hackler from Grousehall”
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- (continued from previous page)Let young & old clear up your lungs & sing this little song
And join with me in sympathy & we'll resist the wrongs
There's not a day while I live but a prayer I breathe for his downfall
And when I die I won't deny I'll haunt him at Grousehall.This song was a favourite at dances & parties up to 1925. It relates to hackling of flax & drinking of poteen at the houses after the finish of the days work. The attempt made to stem the illicit trade & the particular pursuit of Patk McDonald who was alleged to be an expert at poteen making.
Hackling of flax was carried on in this parish up to the 80's. The hackler went from house to house & carried a small machine resembling a mangle. It consisted of two wooden rollers with cogged wheels & mounted in a frame. Two levers with weights worked the machine. Girls used to come to scutch the flax & a dance & entertainment would(continues on next page)
- Collector
- James Brady
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Cordingin, Co. Cavan
