School: Ceann Tuirc (B.) (roll number 14052)
- Location:
- Kanturk, Co. Cork
- Teacher: Liam Ó Caoimh
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0353, Page 678
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- XML School: Ceann Tuirc (B.)
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- XML “Homemade Toys”
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- Home Made Toys
(4)A very popular toy in days gone by, was made from alder branches. A small piece of hard timber was pulled tightly into the holow centre of an alder branch to create a suction. The "ammunition" was derived from small pieces of raw potatoes, which were placed in the open end of the gun. Then the smaller piece was pressed home, the force of the enclosed air sending the "pellet' a distance of several yards.Slings for throwing stones, were also very popular with the older generation. These rather dangerous toys were made generally from the tongue of a boot, tied at each side with a piece of string. A stone was placed in the leather, - one string was wound round the wrist to keep it from slipping and the other was caught tightly. Swinging it round at arm's length, the caught end was let go, and the stone was cast with terrific speed a great distance. This sling was often the cause of many bird's deaths, and was chiefly used(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Neil Daly
- Gender
- Male
- Informant
- Mr Patrick Cahill
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Greenfield, Co. Cork
