School: Curraigh (B.) (roll number 12066)
- Location:
- Curry, Co. Sligo
- Teacher: Peadar Ó Braonáin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0170, Page 0434
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- A limekiln as know in Curry is a pit from 8 to 10 feet deep, lined with masonry and about 6 feet in diameter. Before beginning lime-burning, the owner breaks a large heap of lime-stone with a hammer, so that the prepared stones for burning are roughly the size of a hen egg. A supply of turf is next brought to the kiln. In the exposed side of the kiln, at the bottom just on the ground level is an opening which the old people called the púicín. The use of the púicín is to allow a draught of air to circulate through the turf and stones when the kiln is in operation. A layer of turf is set alight on the bottom of the kiln. When well kindled this is covered with a layer of stones, and so on with alternate layers of turf and stones, until the kiln is nearly filed. This process is repeated for from 24 to 36 hours. Care must be taken to stand clear of the gases which arise from the kiln as they are poisonous. The worker therefore stands on the "windy" side of the kiln. When burned, the kiln is covered for three days. It is then fit for use as all the stones are reduced to lime, which is called roast lime. The ordinary "red" stone so common in fields cannot be reduced to lime.
