The old Irish method of churning with the dash has almost entirely disappeared from the Irish home stead.
The churn was always made of oak bound on the outside by iron hoops, the making of the churn and milk vessels sometimes called coolers was carried on as a special trade by a man called a cooper. The cooper also made the dash which was in two parts, the head and the handle. The head was always made of sycamore and the handle of ash.
When churning was commenced those taking part always washed their hands and made the sign of the cross. There was a spoonful of salt put on the lid for good luck.
When the milk was churned the butter was