Farming was the major occupation of the people. There were a number of blacksmiths in Kiltubrid. The Reilly's tenants of Annadale had a forge at Drumhubrid. Pat Gildea , who came from America had a forge at Kiltynashina. Con Doherty, and his father Patrick, had a forge at Kilclare which is still standing today. The blacksmith, not only looked after the horses ,but they also made farming tools e.g the slean (for cutting turf) and the loy (an extra heavy spade , peculiar to the area).They also made gates. Christy Glossop is the blacksmith of Kiltubrid today. Thatching was an important and skilful job. Each thatched roof was replaced every 2 years. The carpenters, not only made furniture, and built houses but they also made the wooden part of farm implements like the slean and the loy. The steveen, a wooden tool, (which made the holes to drop potato seeds in),was made by the carpenter. The tailor / dressmaker was an important occupation in the area, as was the shoemaker. There were many coopers (barrell makers)in the area. The Leydons of Leitrim hill were the last coopers in the area. Coalmining was carried was in Aughacashel mines which provided much employment in the area. There was also an iron foundry on Sliabh an Iarainn. The iron for the Ha'penny bridge in Dublin was made here. The tinsmiths who came to Kiltubrid were usually members of the travelling community. They made tin mugs,cans for milk and tin buckets. Stonemasons, were very skilled craftsmen, who cut stone and worked in the building trade. John and Anthony Doherty had a mill at Kilclare (beside Lynchs pub).Mc Keons of Mullaghcullen had a mill beside the river near Liscarbin. Harveys, their neighbours, had a crushing machine to crush the oats.

Thatching a House