The making of barrels, wooden cans +c was a trade in itself and was carried on by tradesmen called 'coopers', many of whom are alive today, but whose trade has dwindled almost to nothing.
In this district there were at least four coopers, John Mc Elligott, Patsy Langan, Tom Stack and Jim Hickey.
The making of firkins, for the storing of butter, was the most important item of their trade.
These were made of 'oak' and contained from 60 to 66 lbs of butter.
It was the custom for three or four farmers to get together and