Haymaking season in my young days
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I was brought up on a farm near Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. The Haymaking season was one of the more exciting events in the year. Because I was one of five girls and with only one brother we usually had to help out with all the farm tasks. These included bringing in the cows for milking., feeding calves, sowing potatoes, picking potatoes, pulping turnips , feeding fowl, bringing in water etc.,etc.
I looked forward to the day the hay was brought in and safely stacked in the hayshed. I have memories of lovely sunny days. Everyone was up early. The horse was brought in from the field and harnessed up to the tram car. The neighbours arrived one by one eager to help. My Uncle Harry and Aunt May paid their annual visit from Manchester to help with the hay-making. This photo shows - from left to right - myself, May Armitage, my young sister Philomena, my sister Breda on top of the tram and my late Father and Uncle Harry.
When the hay was safely "trammed" and ready to be put into the hayshed, each tram was loaded on to the tram- car by a wire pully. As children, we loved to sit for a free ride on the back of the car dangling our legs as it raced down the hill. It was hard work forking it into the shed and we all took our turn depending on our age.
The picnic in the meadow was a wonderful treat. My mother, who was a greatcook,arrived in the field with all kinds of home made goodies. The tea and the apple pies tasted particularly good. The smell of new-mown hay always reminds me of those glorious hay-making days.
I was brought up on a farm near Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. The Haymaking season was one of the more exciting events in the year. Because I was one of five girls and with only one brother we usually had to help out with all the farm tasks. These included bringing in the cows for milking., feeding calves, sowing potatoes, picking potatoes, pulping turnips , feeding fowl, bringing in water etc.,etc.
I looked forward to the day the hay was brought in and safely stacked in the hayshed. I have memories of lovely sunny days. Everyone was up early. The horse was brought in from the field and harnessed up to the tram car. The neighbours arrived one by one eager to help. My Uncle Harry and Aunt May paid their annual visit from Manchester to help with the hay-making. This photo shows - from left to right - myself, May Armitage, my young sister Philomena, my sister Breda on top of the tram and my late Father and Uncle Harry.
When the hay was safely "trammed" and ready to be put into the hayshed, each tram was loaded on to the tram- car by a wire pully. As children, we loved to sit for a free ride on the back of the car dangling our legs as it raced down the hill. It was hard work forking it into the shed and we all took our turn depending on our age.
The picnic in the meadow was a wonderful treat. My mother, who was a greatcook,arrived in the field with all kinds of home made goodies. The tea and the apple pies tasted particularly good. The smell of new-mown hay always reminds me of those glorious hay-making days.
posted by christina o'flynn at 8:52 AM
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