Dia is Mhuire díobh go léir a chairde and welcome to my report.
“I tore me ould breeches going over the ditches, St. Paaterick’s Day in the morning”. It was a phrase that was on most people’s lips on March 17th long ago, as we youngsters ran off to find some Shamrock. There was always an air of joy about it, another milestone on the calendar. Devotion to the Patron Saint was very real and profound. Back then, Spring would be well on it’s way. Many fields ploughed in readiness for planting and new grass coming up. We forget a lot with the passage of time, but it’s great to have a few pointers for us to dwell on. We got married in mid February 1957 and I can recall that there was a rush on to have the early potatoes in the ground before ‘Patrick’s Day.’ Seasons have changed a lot since then. I wonder how many of my ilk can remember the differences they found between where they were born and reared and where they married into. Lots of us married in our early twenties, moved from one family to another and started anew. I came from a rather secluded place a mere couple of miles away and arrived close to many busy roads. Many of the farmers in the area were resettled people. Descendants of people who were evicted from their lands and homes back in the 1800’s because they couldn’t pay their rent. Families were big that time and were forced to live in hovels work for a pittance, while saving up the fare to go to America. In time the grip of the English landlord lost it’s power and some large estates became available to be divided among those who were evicted, though the acreage was very small compared to what they lost. The great man who made it all happen to a great degree was Riobard O Suilabhan the moonlighter, better known as the Bard was one such recipient in the immediate area. Dwelling Houses were built in these holdings and the people moved in, paying rent and rates twice a year. Some with very little knowledge of farming, since they had none or very little connection with the land up to then, some returning from America to take possession.
[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 15th March”
