School: St John's, Lecarrow (roll number 3911)
- Location:
- Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon
- Teacher: Áine, Bean Uí Thighearnaigh
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0267, Page 012
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On this page
- Old Crafts
Spinning and Weaving
In this locality fifty years ago each house had two spinning wheels one for flax and one for wool. Flax was grown by all farmers at that time. The wool was carded and spun into thread, the thread was sent to the weaver to be made into cloth and
blankets. There were two weavers in this village, one was John Kelly.
When the blankets come from the weaver, they were thin like a piece of flannel and had to be thickened. This was an art in itself, and was a favourite pastime during long winter nights. The blankets were thickened by rubbing them against the soles of their feet. The heavy cloth woven for mens suits was called frieze. The flax was spun into linen thread. This was sent to the weaver who wove it into linen cloth. This was used for shirts and sheets, etc. The coarse fibre of the flax was spun and made into coarser material suitable for socks or ticking for beds. This coarse fibre of the flax was called "Barrog' "Linsey Woolsey" was the name to striped petticoats made and worn by women.
All thread was home dyed. Linen thread was used for making garments at home.(continues on next page)
- Informant
- Michael Kelly
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 83
- Occupation
- Farmer
- Address
- Rinnagan, Co. Roscommon
