School: Headfort

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1. The Care of the Feet (continued)

   

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   well, and they "let in the wet" because they are sewn with thin thread whereas the shoemakers used stout "wax end". Neither are they as comfortable and warm because the leather is inferior and the boot is shaped according to fashion rather than the foot.
   A notable family of shoemakers lived in Cross and they were known as the "Sheencas" or "Shinca-as". Apart from those shoemakers there were "Clog-makers" who devoted their time to the making of clogs and also "clogging" ordinary boots or putting wooden soles on instead of the leather ones. The soles were made from Sycamore and they are said to have been very comfortable although they looked akward on a person who was unused to wearing them.
   "A wisp of hay" was often put inside in the boot to keep the foot warm and a hot coal was often shaken up and down in it before putting it on in the morning. The homemade stockings and socks were extremely warm and were very largely worn.
   Bran was shaken into damp boots and left there overnight. Polish was made from the ashes of straw and paper moistened with milk or cream to which some sugar had been added.

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. objects
      1. clothing and accessories (~2,403)
         1. shoes (~1,841)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Maureen O Connell

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Lislin, Co. Cavan