Long ago women wore coverings called "loapeens" on their feet - instead of leather shoes. The loapens were made of skin and elastic on top to keep them up on their shins. They were comfortable and warm on a rainy or snowy day. This old woman wearing skin loapeens was in a hotel and other visitors were surprised at the big hairy loapens. One man asked her why she she would not buy a pair of respectable shoes A grúdh na chroídhe no bhuacaill dont you know that I ud nt part with my fine feet covers, but of course a shoneenScott Leminskisabine radou