School: Johnstown (roll number 877)
- Location:
- Johnstown, Co. Meath
- Teacher: Miss H.C. Hickie
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0687, Page 081
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- XML “Making Rush Lights”
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- Good strong bog rushes were pulled. The outer covering was removed or as they say locally the rushes were peeled.
Then they were dried.
Tallow or fat was melted in a special pot used for the purpose shaped something like this [sketch of the pot].
The dried pith of the rush was laid lengthwise in the hot tallow, taken out and stored for use.
Mrs. Oakes, Croboy, Johnstown has one of these pots still.
There was a special stand used for holding the rush light. I cannot find one in the neighbourhood.
Travelling women went round the country selling these rushes in bundles. Sometimes people pulled and peeled them for their own use.
