School: Ballyvongane (Measctha)
- Location:
- Ballyvongane, Co. Cork
- Teacher: D. Ó Céilleachair
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0343, Page 048
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- XML School: Ballyvongane (Measctha)
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- XML “Churning”
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- Butter-making was done in my home, up to a few years ago, but now the milk is sent to the creamery.
The churn used was built on an iron stand. It was a round wooden article narrow at the ends, but in the middle it was about five or six feet in circumference.
The principal parts of a churn are the beaters valve, axle, and handles. There is a little glass at the side on which little grains will cling when the butter is made.
Butter is made once a week in winter, but twice during warm weather. Strangers who come in while the work is in progress must place their hands on the churn turn the handle and say "God Bless The Butter." Superstitious people believe that if this was not done, the people of the house could not make any butter for the year, and all their luck would go away with the visitors.
The churning takes longer in cold than in warm weather. It must be done by two people one turning each handle. During the process a little sweet milk is added to the cream.
When the butter is made the "stopper" is pulled and the butter-milk is drawn off. The churn is then washed out a few times and when the(continues on next page)
