MATTHEW GRAHAM, BORN 1939, ST. JOHNSTON, ARDAGH (Part 1)

Matthew Graham’s grandfather originally arrived in St. Johnston in 1888 and he farmed fifty acres there. Matthew’s father also farmed there and Matthew discusses the arrival of the first tractor at the farm in 1957, butter-making and the arrival of electricity, the growing of flax for thatching and also wheat straw, rye straw and rushes. He recalls the McGlincheys of the Green who were flax millers, and some of the other milling families. He also recalls fair days at Raphoe and at St. Johnston, the meanings of the local field names and the local family names are discussed. Relocation to Scotland for the potato picking, and local archaeological sites are all spoken of in this first recording.