School: Loughanvally (roll number 8363)
- Location:
- Loughanavally, Co. Westmeath
- Teacher: Mrs. O'Connor
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0742, Page 314
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- XML School: Loughanvally
- XML Page 314
- XML “Churning”
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- We have a churn at home. It is medium sized. the top and bottom are the same width. It is a barrell or "end over end" churn. It is ten years old. It consists of the churn itself a lid and a stand. There is a mark on the end of it which is like this [?].
Twice each week my mother churns. When strangers come in they help or "lay the weight of themselves in butter on the churn". This is to show they do not wish to steal the butter. The churning takes from ten minutes to one hour it depends on the weather.
There is a little glass on the top of the lid and when this is clear the butter is formed. The the butter is washed and put into a "keeler". This is an oak dish with two wooden handles on it. It is washed three times. Then it is salted and put into rolls. Butter pats are used to lift and make the butter.
Everyone has a big churning on May day. The buttermilk is used to make bread. It is drank by men making hay.(continues on next page)
