School: The Downs (roll number 8875)
- Location:
- The Downs, Co. Westmeath
- Teacher: S. Molloy
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0730, Page 094
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- XML School: The Downs
- XML Page 094
- XML “Basket-Making”
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- Basket making was very common in olden days more so than at present.
Baskets were mostly made from sally rods which grew plantyful in our bogs long ago. The only tools used was a sharp pointed knife.
First they would cut the sallys and tie them in large bundles and leave them by for about two weeks to dry.
Then they would get eight or nine strong rods and cut them in certain length for the bottom of the basket. After about two weeks they would split those rods for about two inches each side of the centre.
When the sallys were dried enough they would commence to work.
First the bottom is formed with the strong rods.
Then the fine ones are woven around them until the bottom is large enough.
Then arrange the other longer rods and bend them upwards.
They tie all the rods on top and leave it by for a few days.
Then they weave rods around the(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Betty Dunne
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- The Downs, Co. Westmeath
- Informant
- Michael Dunne
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 64
- Address
- The Downs, Co. Westmeath
