Synopses & Reviews
The parish of Kilfeartagh on the southwest coast of Clare covered 9870 acres in the period under study. Landlords and middlemen held sway. Most farming consisted of tillage; and most of the grain was exported to England. Fish, harvested in Currachs, was sold in Kilkee, Kilrush, Limerick and even County Kerry. Turf was also exported in quantity. But despite the rather grim living conditions of the people their lives were by no means joyless. This book describes old customs, the Kilkee Races, hurling and dancing on green and strand, the drink and temperance scenario, and faction fighting. It also humorously describes the tourists and visitors (including day trippers) and a summer 'transplanting of a little Limerick' in the hotels and lodges of Kilkee.
Synopsis
Before the Famine Struck describes life in the parish of Kilfearagh in West Clare in the years before the Great Famine. Despite the rather grim living conditions of the people, their lives were by no means joyless. The book describes old customs, the Kilkee Races, hurling and dancing on green and strand, the drink and temperance scenario, and faction fighting. It also humorously describes the tourists and visitors (including day trippers) and a summer transplanting of a little Limerick in the hotels and lodges of Kilkee.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 99-102) and index.