School: Cloichín an Mhargaidh
- Location:
- Clogheen Market, Co. Tipperary
- Teacher: Séamus Ó Teacháin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0573, Page 350
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- XML School: Cloichín an Mhargaidh
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- XML “Candles”
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- Candles were made in two ways 1) The Rush Candle:-The big strong rushes known as "bull rushes" were split in two or four parts (according to their thickness). Each part formed a wick. These wicks were just dipped in the boiled fat, allowed to cool and re-dipped any number of times according to the size of the candle desired.
2) A wick of "hemps or "yarn" could be bought in the shops. Lengths of this were cut and tied on to a stick.The stick was placed over a tub or pot of boiling fat. When the wick were covered the "stick of candles" was raised. When cool they were immersed a second time, and so on till the desired thickness was obtained. The fat used was got from goats (mostly wild ones from the Galtee or Knockmealdown Mts.) These were captured in September and killed. Sufficient were killed to obtain enough fat for a year's supply of candles.(continues on next page)
- Collector
- J.F. Tehan
- Address
- Clogheen, Co. Tipperary
- Informant
- John Casey
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 75
- Address
- Burncourt, Co. Tipperary
