School: Lios na mBroc (roll number 11453)
- Location:
- Lisnamrock, Co. Tipperary
- Teacher: Séamus Ó Cinnéide
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0562, Page 278
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- XML “Old Crafts - Rushlights”
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- Rushlights were made in this district about eighty years ago
Long rushes were pulled and peeled on three sides. The skin was left on one side for support
A long narrow iron pot was used for melting the suet.
This was called a grissid
It was rectangular in shape 18" long 3" wide and 2" high
Each rush was dipped in the molten grease and allowed to cool.
When cooled sufficiently it was again dipped thus adding a second coat of grease A peculiar candlestick was used to hold each rushlight
It consisted of a hollow tin tube 18" high fixed on a wooden base. The tube had 1/4" bore and was slit at one side. A piston passed through the barrel. A button was attached to the piston
As the dipped rush was weak only a small portion could be raised at any time above the edge of the barrel
As it burned the rush was raised by moving up the piston, which had to be done frequently as the rush burned rapidly
