Dyeing.
Dye used dyeing linen made by countrywomen was made from the leaves of "sloe" bushes boiled down, the water in which they were boiled being used.
A man named Cusack from Lavey, Co. Cavan a pedlar used to dye cloth in a yard in Ballinagh.
There was another dyer in the town named Flanagan who worked in oppossition to Cusack. One day a neighbour's pig broke into Cusacks yard and jumped into the tub of dye. He was of course dyed blue.
Cusack was not a favourite in Ballinagh but Flanagan was, so some people in town made a sing about both dyers.
Part of which is as follows
Bad cess to you Cusack
But you are the fine vag
Do you not remember the time
When you carried the bag.