School: Killyconnan (B.)

Location:
Killyconnan, Co. Cavan
Teacher:
P. Kearney
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0979, Page 101

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0979, Page 101

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  1. XML School: Killyconnan (B.)
  2. XML Page 101
  3. XML “Churning”

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  1. We have a churn at home. It is not a very large churn. It is only about four feet high. It is about two feet wide at the top and bottom. The sides are slightly curved in around the middle. It is ten yeas old. The top part is called the crib. There are hoops around it. In summer butter is made twice weekly, but not so often in winter as milk is then scarce. Members of the family do the churning. Should neighbours come in they take what is called a 'brash', that is they give a helping hand. It is considered unlucky not to take a 'brash'.
    It takes about half an hour to churn five crocks of milk. The churning is done by hand. The dash is moved up and down, and when the churning is nearly finished it is given a rolling motion so as to make the butter gather in lumps. Hot water is added during the process as heat helps to make the milk "break'.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. economic activities
        1. agriculture (~2,659)
          1. butter and churns (~3,280)
    Language
    English
    Collector
    James Gilcreest
    Gender
    Male
    Informant
    Mr Patrick Gilcreest
    Gender
    Male
    Age
    50
    Address
    Cuttragh, Co. Cavan