School: Moynalty (C.)

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1. Old Houses

   

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   In former days houses were generally of the mud wall type. The walls were very thick and built of a special kind of clay known as blue clay. A frame of flags surrounded the door and small windows. The outside was lime-washed. The roof was of thatch which was procured from wheaten straw.

   Houses generally had one chimney also built of clay and wattles. Sometimes houses had no chimney and the smoke came out through the door or a hole in the roof. The fire-place was an open one usually along the centre wall but sometimes houses had a fireplace in the corner. On each side of the fire was a hob and under one of these was the ash hole into which the ashes was swept until it could be removed. A shelf was on far side of the fire from the door. It was known as a hurdle and was used to hold all manner of things wool, feathers, etc

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. objects
      1. man-made structures
         1. buildings
            1. residential buildings (~2,723)

   Languages

   Irish

   English

   Collector

   Concepta Smyth

   Gender

   Female

   Informant

   J.M. Gilsenan

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Billywood, Co. Meath

   Informant

   Michael Reilly

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Kingsfort, Co. Meath

   Informant

   Mrs Govern

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Moynalty, Co. Meath

   Informant

   T. Govern

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Donore, Co. Meath