School: Páirc Uí Líathain, Killenaule
- Location:
- Lanespark, Co. Tipperary
- Teacher: Pilib Mac an Fhailghe
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0564, Page 247
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- The Culm Fire.
In most of the homesteads in Slieveardagh one may see a culm fire.
The grate and flue are much the same in shape and dimensions as those used for burning bituminous coal or "sea-coal". The bars of the grate are invariably lighter and very small grates are never seen. The culm grate is made by the local smith, and is provided with an extra floor which is loose and acts as a kind of sieve. It is light and is placed in the bottom between the two lower bars of the front and extends from front to back of the fire-place. It is provided in front with a ring or handle. When shaken up and down, it stirs up the whole mass of burning culm above it and rids it of its ashes.
A culm fire is one glowing mass of red, hot balls having either none, or very little, faint, bluish, lambent flames out of its top and above it. There is a slightly pungent, sulphurous odour from it. It never flames up or blazes.
It is a rather fickle fire, for if it is not handled in the correct manner it will probably go suddenly "out".(continues on next page)
