Great Famine: 'For the “Offaly Famine Stitch” the women used hessian sacks which were readily available on their farms and were manufactured in Goodbody’s Jute Factory in Clara, Co. Offaly. The women cut the sacks into shapes suitable for cushion covers, table centres and as wall hangings in their white-washed kitchens. They embroidered the sacking with a criss-cross stitch using coloured wool and a darning needle. They created their own designs and often used a daring combination of colours when they were available' - Mary O’Connor, Arts and Culture magazine 2013


'For the “Offaly Famine Stitch” the women used hessian sacks which were readily available on their farms and were manufactured in Goodbody’s Jute Factory in Clara, Co. Offaly. The women cut the sacks into shapes suitable for cushion covers, table centres and as wall hangings in their white-washed kitchens. They embroidered the sacking with a criss-cross stitch using coloured wool and a darning needle. They created their own designs and often used a daring combination of colours when they were available' - Mary O’Connor, Arts and Culture magazine 2013.

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Great Famine: 'For the “Offaly Famine Stitch” the women used hessian sacks which were readily available on their farms and were manufactured in Goodbody’s Jute Factory in Clara, Co. Offaly...The women cut the sacks into shapes suitable for cushion covers, table centres and as wall hangings in their white-washed kitchens. They embroidered the sacking with a criss-cross stitch using coloured wool and a darning needle. They created their own designs and often used a daring combination of colours when they were available.' Mary O’Connor, Arts and Culture magazine 2013


'For the “Offaly Famine Stitch” the women used hessian sacks which were readily available on their farms and were manufactured in Goodbody’s Jute Factory in Clara, Co. Offaly...The women cut the sacks into shapes suitable for cushion covers, table centres and as wall hangings in their white-washed kitchens. They embroidered the sacking with a criss-cross stitch using coloured wool and a darning needle. They created their own designs and often used a daring combination of colours when they were available.' Mary O’Connor, Arts and Culture magazine 2013.

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Music: Fiddle-playing. Ronan Galvin, Dublin at the Glencolumkille Fiddle School


Fiddle-playing. Ronan Galvin, Dublin at the Glencolumkille Fiddle School.

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Music: Fiddle playing: Ronan Galvin (Dublin) at the Glencolmcille Fiddle School


Fiddle playing: Ronan Galvin (Dublin) at the Glencolmcille Fiddle School.

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[The Tri-Coloured Ribbon, sung by Miss Mary McCarthy, in Farnacuis, Sherkin Island, Cork]


[The Tri-Coloured Ribbon, sung by Miss Mary McCarthy, in Farnacuis, Sherkin Island, Cork]

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[Lost Jimmy Whelan, sung by Micheal Dolan, in Gola, Glangevlin, County Cavan]


[Lost Jimmy Whelan, sung by Micheal Dolan, in Gola, Glangevlin, County Cavan]

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[Barb'ry Allen, sung by Tom Lenihan, a farmer, in Knockbrack, Miltown Malbay, County Clare]


[Barb'ry Allen, sung by Tom Lenihan, a farmer, in Knockbrack, Miltown Malbay, County Clare]

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[Pat O'Donnell, sung by Patrick Farrell, a farmer, in Clohamon, Bunclody, County Wexford]


[Pat O'Donnell, sung by Patrick Farrell, a farmer, in Clohamon, Bunclody, County Wexford]

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[Slow air - Sé fáth mo bhuartha, played by Sean Seery in Tionól na bPíobairí Uilleann, An Gríannán, Termonfeckin, County Louth]


[Slow air - Sé fáth mo bhuartha, played by Sean Seery in Tionól na bPíobairí Uilleann, An Gríannán, Termonfeckin, County Louth]

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[Bring me Home to North Kerry, sung by Paddy Quilligan, a settled Traveller, in Newcastlewest, County Limerick]


[Bring me Home to North Kerry, sung by Paddy Quilligan, a settled Traveller, in Newcastlewest, County Limerick]

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[A Lonely Little Cabin in the Hills of Donegal, sung by Ann Gill, in the house of James McInerney, Ballinamuck, County Longford]


[A Lonely Little Cabin in the Hills of Donegal, sung by Ann Gill, in the house of James McInerney, Ballinamuck, County Longford]

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[Johnny Doyle, sung by Frank McInerney, of Leggamine, County Cavan]


[Johnny Doyle, sung by Frank McInerney, of Leggamine, County Cavan]

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[My own native land far away, sung by Michael Moran, a farmer, at Drumrahill, Mohill, County Leitrim.]


[My own native land far away, sung by Michael Moran, a farmer, at Drumrahill, Mohill, County Leitrim.]

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[Jig - The Geese in the Bog, played by Mickey Connors, a Traveller, who was camped at Clonegal, County Carlow]


[Jig - The Geese in the Bog, played by Mickey Connors, a Traveller, who was camped at Clonegal, County Carlow]

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[The Rocks of Bawn/The Sea, oh the Sea, sung and played by Tom Berry in Labre Park Travellers Camp, Ballyfermot, Dublin]


[The Rocks of Bawn/The Sea, oh the Sea, sung and played by Tom Berry in Labre Park Travellers Camp, Ballyfermot, Dublin]

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[Tonight is our last night together, sung by Bridie Whelan, housewife, at Chapel, Clonroche, County Wexford]


[Tonight is our last night together, sung by Bridie Whelan, housewife, at Chapel, Clonroche, County Wexford]

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[The close of an Irish day, sung by Jim Hanlon, in a public house, Geishall, County Offaly]


[The close of an Irish day, sung by Jim Hanlon, in a public house, Geishall, County Offaly]

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[Mama, Say a Special Prayer for Me, sung by Kathleen Maughan, at Labre Park Travellers Camp, Ballyfermot, Dublin]


[Mama, Say a Special Prayer for Me, sung by Kathleen Maughan, at Labre Park Travellers Camp, Ballyfermot, Dublin]

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[Reel - The College Groves, played by Joe Cuneen, a farmer, in Dwyer's Pub, Quilty, County Clare]


[Reel - The College Groves, played by Joe Cuneen, a farmer, in Dwyer's Pub, Quilty, County Clare]

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[Reel - The Maid of Lough Arrow, played by Larry McDonagh, a small farmer, in Cosgrove's Pub, Gurteen Road, Boyle, County Roscommon]


[Reel - The Maid of Lough Arrow, played by Larry McDonagh, a small farmer, in Cosgrove's Pub, Gurteen Road, Boyle, County Roscommon]

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[My Darling Brown Haired Boy, sung by Ann O'Donnell, a Traveller, in a derelict house at Green Street, Boyle, County Roscommon]


[My Darling Brown Haired Boy, sung by Ann O'Donnell, a Traveller, in a derelict house at Green Street, Boyle, County Roscommon]

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[Dick Mooney's Daughter, sung by John McGuire, a farmer, in Crocknagross, Roslea, County Fermanagh]


[Dick Mooney's Daughter, sung by John McGuire, a farmer, in Crocknagross, Roslea, County Fermanagh]

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[The Black Velvet Band, sung by Charlie McMorrow, an eel fisherman, on the shores of Lough Gowna, County Cavan as he baited his fishing hooks.]


[The Black Velvet Band, sung by Charlie McMorrow, an eel fisherman, on the shores of Lough Gowna, County Cavan as he baited his fishing hooks.]

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[Reel - Paddy Cronin's reel, played by Seán Ward, in Grehan's pub, Boyle, County Roscommon]


[Reel - Paddy Cronin's reel, played by Seán Ward, in Grehan's pub, Boyle, County Roscommon]

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