Threshing at Barnaboy, Abbey, Loughrea in the 1970s

Photographic Record of Threshing Day in Abbey

Photographs courtesy Ulick Burke, Abbey

Before the arrival of the combine harvester, threshing day was a major event on farms at harvest time.  It was a case of all hands on deck with neighbours arriving to lend their help when threshing day arrived. Thanks to Ulick Burke of Eaglehill we have photographic evidence of a threshing day in Barnaboy, Abbey in the 1970s which took place on J J Craughwell’s land.  J J was himself the owner of the threshing machine used and like his uncle Paddy did before him, J J carried out all the threshing for farmers in the area.  J J’s  arrival on someone’s farm was the signal to prepare for a busy and enjoyable day ahead.

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Pat Roche bringing in the stacks of corn in preparation for threshing

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Threshing in progress, with Pat Roche pitching sheaves to J J Craughwell and his helper on top

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All working hard and sacks of grain are filling fast

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P J Pierce and Fintan Mullins taking out the straw

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Ulick Burke pitching sheaves of corn to the men on top of mill, with J J and Francis Craughwell taking more sacks for the grain from J J’s red Hillman car

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Sacks filled with grain waiting for transport by trailer

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John Ryan and Stanny Burke taking the straw, with help from Fintan Mullins

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Almost finished – a well-made cock of straw

This page was added on 24/01/2015.

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