School: Swords (B.) (roll number 755)
- Location:
- Swords, Co. Dublin
- Teacher: A. Hamill
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0789, Page 27
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- Old Crafts
One of the oldest crafts in Swords is thatching. It is gradually dying out in modern buildings. Mr Hughes is the only Thatcher we have in Swords. At first wheaten straw is got. It is wet for three or four days before it is ready to be used. The thatcher pulls the straw in small layers he then ties it in knots. He has a needle in the knot and pushes it into the old straw. As he continues he overlaps it like a bird's feather. When he comes to the end he clips it with a clippers to make an eve. He puts wire on the eve to keep the wind from blowing it away. He mortars the ridge and the gable-ends.
Written by: John Lowndes, Swords
told by: John Lowndes, snr
- Collector
- John Lowndes
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Swords, Co. Dublin
- Informant
- John Lowndes
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 43
- Address
- Swords, Co. Dublin
