School: Gortermone

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1. Soap-Making

   

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   In this district still, soap is made. When pigs etc are killed the the intestines, as waste guts, stomach etc. are kept boiled cooled & fat taken off the top of the liquid. Then fat later on dissolved and mixed with melted caustic soda. Proportion 6 1/2 lbs of fat to 1 lb of caustic soda dissolved in three pints of cold water. Both fat & caustic soda should be mixed when luke warm. Poured into a vessel -- as a trough -- allowed to cool & cut in squares.

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   Topics

   1. activities
      1. economic activities
         1. trades and crafts (~4,680)
            1. soap-making (~74)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Mary Healin

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Drummanbane, Co. Leitrim

2. Nail-Making

   

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   Many local nailors still exist in this district -- Some 10 or 12 years ago they earned their living by making nails. Now they are not required as few people get home made boots from local shoe-makers. I remember being sent for nails & to watch the operation. The nailor put the rod of iron in a hole on something like an anvil beat a head on it pulled it out again & cut off the nail, required length. We called them Mick & John the Nailor. I never knew any sir name for them & the cross-roads they lived at is still known as the Nailor's Cross-roads.

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit