Lights in Olden Times

transcribed at

Lights in Olden Times  [duchas:4646900]

In olden times the people of this country were greatly handicapped because of the scarcity of lights. They were compelled to do all their work during the day and on this account they had to be up very early, as they had to suspend their toil as soon as the shade of night fell and this proved a serious loss to themselves and a cause of anxiety and doubt among the wits of the country.
The people believed in the old saying "early to bed, early to rise etc" and they usually went to bed before it got dark. In those times people were self-supporting and made their farm products useful in producing light. After some time it was discovered that peeled rushes, dipped in melted fat, which had been rendered down by the

Lights in Olden Times  [duchas:4646901]

industrious "[?]" would give light. At first the rushes about ten inches in length were peeled and some say that a small margin of peel was left on the whole length of the rush. They were then left over the fireplace or on the hobs to season. They were then plaited and dipped in fat after which they were allowed to cool for six hours, when they were ready for use. Candlesticks used then varied with the ingenuity of the owner. One type was a sod of turf in which a piece of timber was placed perpendicularly in a secure position; the top part of the timber was split for about half an inch, and served as a clip to hold the rush candle. Another type of candlestick was made of iron with a clip on top to catch the rush light

Lights in Olden Times  [duchas:4646902]

One of this type was exhibited in Cloone and at the Cattle Show in Carrick-on-Shannon this year. A third type of candlestick for the rush was a small bottle. The fourth and crudest type was a cake of cow manure made by the farmers and allowed to set for the purpose of holding the rush candles. Even to the present day this custom is kept up by the country folk only on the twelvth night when people light twelve rush candles in honour of the twelve apostles.
But great as the rush candle seemed in those days it was of little worth as it was burned out in a few minutes and there had to be two replacing the rushes for the one who was working.
Children had not the

Lights in Olden Times  [duchas:4646903]

advantages that we have as many of them had to learn their lessons by the light of a fire or rush candles.
Later on the paraffin oil lamp was discovered but the old people were in great awe of it as it was far thicker then than now and was highly inflammable. Numerous accidents occured to the first patronizers who used little tin lamps which were by the side of the fire over the [hob?]. A little later it was improved  upon and now it is the only light in the country along with the wax candle which was discovered about the same time. Candles were made from the fat of animals which was steeped in limewater. When made they were put in tin sconces. Sugans of straw hoisted on long sticks served as torch-lights when travelling in the dark.