A Story From My Grandfather

My Grandfather was born in Ré na Brón in 1942.  It was a small village made up of six thatched cottages.  They were self sufficient as far as possible e.g. cows – milk and hens – eggs.  They also sowed their own vegetables.

Home Grown Vegetables

Hens provide us with Eggs

My Great Grandfather would make their trousers and clogs in Winter.  In Summer they would go bare foot.  My Great Grandmother would knit and make the rest of their clothes.

Land was poor so they would also work in the woods.  Transport was mainly bikes.  They had no electricity or running water so they went to the well and had oil lamps.  They had an open fire with the crane that all the pots and kettle hung from.  There the food was made.

Entertainment was neighbours visiting each other and telling stories around the fire.  Telling ghost stories was very common and often someone would hide in the ditch and jump out to give a fright on the way home.

My Grandfather said that although people may not have had as much as people today, they shared what they had with each other and were happy to do so.