Click here to find out about some of the words used by Tom to describe working on the farm in the past.
Below, Tom tells us about making the hay:
Living conditions in Ireland were far removed from the quality of life enjoyed by people today. Families were largely self-sufficient, caring for their animals, poultry and growing their own crops. Agricultural machinery was scarce. Some farmers were lucky to own horses and ploughs, but many dug the fields with the shovels or loys. Meadows were cut by scythes and most of the family were expected to help save the hay using handmade wooden rakes and forks.
Hay Making (0010)
Leitrim County Library
Leitrim County Library
In unfavourable weather conditions, the work was even more difficult and involved the back-breaking task of lapping the hay by hand.
Hay Bleaching
When hay was cut, it was left to 'bleach' in the sun before being gathered into cocks for the convenience of collection and carrying home.
Picture courtesy of the Irish Examiner.Hay Bleaching
Picture courtesy of the Irish Examiner.
Picture courtesy of the Irish Examiner.
Hay Bleaching
When hay was cut, it was left to 'bleach' in the sun before being gathered into cocks for the convenience of collection and carrying home.
Picture courtesy of the Irish Examiner.This process was an accepted feature of hay saving. The hay stacks were made into a massive rick in the farmyard, or moved to the hayshed by means of a donkey and cart or for the more affluent, by horse and cart.
For meadows, which lay close to the farmyard, chains and ropes would be placed around the haycocks and pulled in by a horse. This process was known as "snigging in the hay".