School: Baile Nua, Baile Mhic Cairbre

Location:
Clonanav, Co. Waterford
Teacher:
Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0656, Page 312

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0656, Page 312

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  1. XML School: Baile Nua, Baile Mhic Cairbre
  2. XML Page 312
  3. XML “Old Trades and Occupations”

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  1. 1. Candle-making.
    Long ago people in this parish used make candles from the fat of goats, sheep, and pigs. They would melt the fat by heating it in a big pot. They then let it cool until it was a thick paste. The wicks were made from the pith of rushes or cotton thread soaked in paraffin oil.
    They had moulds shaped like a candle, in which they placed the wick, the then filled the mould with the melted tallow & allowed it to cool before taking it out.
    The candles were usually made in the beginning of autumn & they made enough of them to give them light for the winter. They were called Rush-lights or Tallow candles and did not give as much light as the candles of to day.
    2. Spinning
    There was a great spinner who lived in Newtown where the school-playground is now. Her name was Mary Boyle. She used spin for all the people around.
    They gave her the wool, then with a pair of cards she would make the wool into little rools. Then with her spinning wheel she would make the rools into thread.
    3. Basket-making.
    Not many years ago a man named Joe Mahony used make baskets of sallies and go around through the parish selling them.
    4. Dying Clothes.
    (continues on next page)
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Topics
    1. activities
      1. economic activities
        1. trades and crafts (~4,680)
    Language
    English
    Informant
    Nora Lynch
    Gender
    Female
    Address
    Curraheenavoher, Co. Waterford