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School: Valleymount

Location:
Valleymount, Co. Wicklow
Teacher:
Dll. Ó Cochláin

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Valleymount | The Schools’ Collection

Archival Reference

The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0917, Page 046

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Ancient Crafts - Candle-Making

One of the oldest industries around this locality was rush-candle making.
Bundles of rushes were gathered and peeled. a pot of grease was melted then, and one of the peeled rushes was dipped in it and was allowed to harden. This was repeated several times until it was the necessary thickness. Then it was passed through a "rush-runner" which is shaped something like the neck of a bottle. This gives the candle the required shape.
These candles were used in a festival on Twelfth Night.
This method of making candles has now died out.

Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
History | Edit »
Collector
Sally Tipper
Gender
female
Address
Valleymount, Co. Wicklow
Informant
Mr M. Tipper
Gender
male
Age
55
Occupation
smith
Address
Valleymount, Co. Wicklow
Language
English

Ancient Crafts - Candle-Making

Years ago there were no candles like what we have nowadays.
People used to go to where there were good strong rushes in the bog and select a tuft of strong rushes.

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Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
History | Edit »