This project is a study of Clontubrid and the surrounding areas in our great grandparents time. We did this project because if we had not written it down, much of it would have died with the people we got if from. We did not go back to hundreds of years ago because we would have had to use books and it has already been recorded if it is in books.
This project will stay in our school and be passed on. We learned how to respect our heritage. Everyone was happy that we have written it down and were more than happy to help. Now this part of the area's heritage will not be forgotten. The great grandparents of the pupils in our school include Jerry McCarthy who was born in 1870 and lived to be 105 years old, Jim Lalor who played for Kilkenny when the country won their first All-Ireland in 1904 and Margaret Thornton who is still hale and hearty at 80 years of age, so that the period of time covered by their lives stretched from 1870 to the present day.
In our project, we are concentrating on the time between 1890 and 1950. These times, as most old people would say, were both good times and bad times. Some of these good times would include Communion and Confirmation. These were family events which were special occasions. Other events which local people gathered for would be The Balleen Races, Threshings, Fairs, Sports Meetings and Hurling Matches. Crossroad dancing and skittles were also popular. Many people passed the long winter nights by going to "rambling houses" to tell stories and to play and listen to music.
It wasn't all good times though. People back then also had their share of hardship. Diseases such as tuberculosis, polio and diphtheria were common. There wasn't any cure for these diseases at that time and many people died from tuberculosis and polio. Some children died from diphtheria.
Means of transport were limited. Very few people had cars. Travel was by pony and trap and bicycle. Most people walked, even the children used to have to walk to school, sometimes in their bare feet. Pay was poor back then. Most people worked on farms for very little money. They worked very hard, it was all manual work. It was a case of having to.
We have tried to show what life was like in this area at that time. We visited old people, listened to their stories and wrote them down. Many of them gave us documents, photographs or books. Our parents, grandparents and relations told us about things they remember or things their parents told them. We discovered that many people still had old machines and tools that were used years ago. We thank everyone who helped us with this project. Everyone we went to was glad to help us. We are very grateful for their co-operation. Thank You!
|
|
|