School: Askamore (roll number 15675)

On this page

1. Old Houses

   

   Share Share Post

   In olden times all the houses were built of yellow soil or stones with thatched roofs. Most of them had a bed in the kitchen. Those beds were called "settle beds or press beds" because they could be made like a seat in the daytime.

   Most fireplaces were at the gable-wall, but others were at the back wall in the centre of the house. The front of the chimney was made of wattles and clay.

   The old floors were made of clay with sand spread over them, and many clay floors still remain in this locality, because when the weather is fine they are firm as cement and very comfortable under foot.

   Some houses in the district have half doors, but they were more common formerly. They were used to prevent the poultry in the yard from coming into the kitchen and also to keep out the cold draught.

   It was a great custom with the old people to burn furze bushes in this locality. Rushlights were used to give light at night. Tallow candles were made locally, but most people used a rush dipped in grease to give light.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. objects
      1. man-made structures
         1. buildings
            1. residential buildings (~2,723)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Annie Reddy

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Askamore, Co. Wexford

   Informant

   Mr Robert Gilbert

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Askamore, Co. Wexford