School: The Downs (roll number 8875)
- Location:
- The Downs, Co. Westmeath
- Teacher: S. Molloy
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0730, Page 123
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- XML School: The Downs
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- XML “Lime-Burning”
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- Lime was burned in kilns in this district long ago.
The people collected lime stones from the different farmers whose land contained such stones.
When a large heap of stones was gathered, they were broken by means of a sledge.
Then the stones were placed in the kiln in layers.
First a layer of turf, then a layer of coke, then a layer of stones, and so on in this manner until the kiln was full.
The turf was then set on fire and kept burning for two or three days
As the turf burned out the stones sank down and then another layer of stones and turf was put on top, until all was burned out.
The tools used were picks, shovels, sledges, and stone hammers.
This lime was used for building house and white-washing houses.
After three or four days they would(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Teresa Maguire
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- The Downs, Co. Westmeath
- Informant
- Joseph Maguire
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 68
- Address
- The Downs, Co. Westmeath
