Seamus Moore (Part 1)

Seamus Moore is from Drumfad, an only son in a family of seven children. He recalls that his introduction to farming involved minding the horses at the age of four. He also remembers having the peculiar task of taking ticks off the horses’ noses when he was quite young. Seamus describes learning how to thatch, beginning with twisting straw ropes, which was very exact work. He remembers the porter being delivered on the days when they were making the hay rick and the excitement involved. He remembers bacon and cabbage being made for dinner by his mother and discusses in great detail the preserving techniques they used to keep the bacon and other meat fresh. There was never any waste of food. Seamus has memories of making St. Brigid’s crosses out of Cíob, a coarse mountain grass, which were put on the window and blessed. Also recalled were the customs surrounding Christmas, including leaving a cake out on Christmas Eve. Halloween and its customs are also remembered.