In the past, Irish people heated their homes and cooked their food using turf taken from from the bog as fuel. Turf was cut from the bog by hand, using a two-sided spade called a sleán. Entire families often helped to save the turf on the bog.
Cutting Turf
This image of a man cutting turf was taken in 1935 by Dorothy Hartley. It was taken between Athlone, Co. Westmeath and Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly. Taken from Hartley, Dorothy (1935) Irish Holiday, London, Lindsay Drummond.
Photograph by Dorothy HartleyCutting Turf
Photograph by Dorothy Hartley
Photograph by Dorothy Hartley
Cutting Turf
This image of a man cutting turf was taken in 1935 by Dorothy Hartley. It was taken between Athlone, Co. Westmeath and Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly. Taken from Hartley, Dorothy (1935) Irish Holiday, London, Lindsay Drummond.
Photograph by Dorothy Hartley
Turf Stacks
This image, taken in 1935 by Dorothy Hartley shows stacks of turf in the foreground. Taken from Hartley, Dorothy (1935) Irish Holiday, London, Lindsay Drummond.
Photograph by Dorothy HartleyTurf Stacks
Photograph by Dorothy Hartley
Photograph by Dorothy Hartley
Turf Stacks
This image, taken in 1935 by Dorothy Hartley shows stacks of turf in the foreground. Taken from Hartley, Dorothy (1935) Irish Holiday, London, Lindsay Drummond.
Photograph by Dorothy HartleySaving the turf involved turning each sod of turf to ensure the sun and wind could help in the drying process. The turf was then placed upright or 'footed' for further drying. Footing the turf was a back-breaking job and involved placing five or six sods of turf upright and leaning against each other. Finally, the turf was brought home and stored in sheds or ricks.
In the midlands and the West of Ireland, the tradition of using turf or peat as fuel has continued in many homes.
Cut Turf Drying Out
Turf is still cut for home fuel use, in this case by machine. The turf in the picture is at the drying stage. The sods of turf are footed or placed upright to aid the drying process.
Cut Turf Drying Out
Cut Turf Drying Out
Turf is still cut for home fuel use, in this case by machine. The turf in the picture is at the drying stage. The sods of turf are footed or placed upright to aid the drying process.
The turf is mainly cut by machine nowadays, but saving the turf still involves lots of work and requires good weather.