School: Castlecoote (roll number 6344)

Location:
Castlecoote, Co. Roscommon
Teacher:
Máire, Bean Uí Ghabhláin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0263, Page 255

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0263, Page 255

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  1. XML School: Castlecoote
  2. XML Page 255
  3. XML “Old Crafts - Candle-Making”

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  1. There was an old man telling stories about old times. He was saying how people we able to supply all their wants long ago.
    He described how they used to make their own candles, out of rushes.
    People used to go to the river and and pull long strong rushes; they used to hang them over the fire to season. They then peeled the skin off them, when quite dry. They got a pan and put tallow or goat's fat on it and melted it over the fire.
    The peeled rushes were then held at both ends and dipped up and down in the melted fat. They were then hung up in a cool, dry place and allowed to soak thoroughly. They were then ready for use.
    They placed the homemade rush candles in an old fashioned candlestick, called a grisset.
    The grisset was boat shaped and was used for melting resin. Candles were also made out of resin. [?] of flannel were put through the melted resin and allowed to cool.
    A cowthod - like a pancake - was used as a candlestick to hold rushes for use as candles.
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. economic activities
        1. trades and crafts (~4,680)
          1. candle-making (~728)
    Language
    English