Turf cutting around Kilmaine and Ballinrobe
Footed turf on a west of Ireland bog
Photo: P. O'Connor
(a) Internal socket slane, Attymon, County Galway; (b) Long open socket slane, Keady, County Armagh; (c) Short open socket slane, Derry, County Galway; (d) Short open socket slane, Lackagh Beg, County Galway; (e) Strap socket slane, Kildare; (f) Strap socket slane, County Derry; (g) Open socket slane, Glendun, County Antrim; (h) English peat spade from Rosedale Moor; (i) Peat spade from south-west Scotland; (j) Scottish peat spade; (k) Welsh peat spade, Tywyn, Merioneth; (l) Danish two-winged peat spade, North Rangstrup county; (m) Norse peat spade, Sunnmore, More and Romsdal; (n) Danish implement for cutting mud turf, Baarse county; (o) Turf cish from County Armagh; (p) Turf barrow from County Meath; (q) Turf barrow from County Antrim
Photo: donor
By Evelyn Keane
In the old days almost every farmer had a bank of turf, to work on in spring.
The turf cutter’s work was strenuous. With every sinew stretched he cut the individual sod with his slean (see image) and threw it onto the bank in a random fashion until he had the required amount cut.
When turf cutting, it was very important for the turf cutter to ‘keep a straight face’ that is, to keep a straight face on the bank being worked.
A week later depending on weather the turf was footed. Once the turf was dry and seasoned it was brought home by horse and cart and made into a reek in the garden. It was covered with a water-resistant roof of thatch.