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  2. The Schools' Collection
  3. Lower Warren

School: Lower Warren (roll number 7793)

Location:
Warren Lower, Co. Westmeath
Teacher:
Liam Mac Coiligh
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0746, Page 424

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0746, Page 424

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  3. XML “Linen-Making in School District”

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  1. Linen-Making in School District

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    Long ago people used to make their own linen.
    First they used to cut the Flax and tie it in sheaves. Next all the women would go to one house and "scutch" it with "scutching handles".
    After the scutching it was taken to a bog hole to make it soft for "beetling". While it was in the bog hole, it was known as "bogging".
    After being taken out of the bog hole it had to be dried. This was done by putting the "bogged Flax" on what were called "hurles" and "wattles" placed across. These last were left from pole to pole. Underneath this was placed a slow fire and left so until the Flax was dry. Next it was "beetled" and then broken up to be ready for "hackling".
    After a time men known as "Hacklers" would come (they travelled from house to house hackling) and "hackle" the beetled flax. When it was hackled the waste was called "tow".
    Then it was ready for the "weaver. He
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    History Edit
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. economic activities
        1. trades and crafts (~4,680)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    John Kerwan
    Gender
    Male
    Address
    Coolvuck Lower, Co. Westmeath