School: Forgney, Ballymahon (roll number 860)
- Location:
- Forgnaí, Co. an Longfoirt
- Teacher: Mrs B. Higgins
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0750, Page 454
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- XML School: Forgney, Ballymahon
- XML Page 454
- XML “Thatching”
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- There are plenty of thatched houses in this locality. Wheaten or rye straw makes the best thatch. Failing these, oaten straw is used.
A good coat of thatch will last five or six years. There are a few good thatchers in every district, who are employed at the work which is generally done in the Winter or Spring when the straw is plentiful and easily handled.
When a person wants to get his house thatched he cuts a big bundle of scollops, either of scally or privet. The scollop will be about one and a half feet long, and sharply pointed at each end.
A number of bundles of straw are then made. A ladder is placed by the side of the house and the thatcher ascends and pulls down any old decayed thatch or scollops. He brings up with him a bundle of straw tied with a straw or hay rope, a mallet, and a punching fork.(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Frances Mc Loughlin
- Gender
- Female
- Age
- 12
- Address
- Forgnaí, Co. an Longfoirt
