There were more people round here before the famine.

transcribed at

Allenwood, Robertstown  [duchas:4741601]

There were more people round here before the famine. The potatoes turned black. The chief food was Indian meal. It was 2/6 a stone and it was considered very dear. The Government gave relief work.

All the hills were broken and the gravel was spread on the roads. The pay was 2/6 for an ass and driver and 5/ for a horse and driver. There was a hill near the sandpit in Robertstown called "Glanlush" and most of the gravel was got there.

The workers would bring a paper-bag of cooked Indian meal. This was eaten out of the hand.

Potatoes were got from Scotland. One of the sort that was got were called "Lumpers". Those potatoes when boiled stuck together and

Allenwood, Robertstown  [duchas:4741602]

the old people would say " That they would have to be rolled around in a smith's práskeen before they would be got asunder". These potatoes resembled the potatoes that are called "Aran Banner".

After the famine the people used to sow potatoes on the "Hill of Cualah" ( Coolaght) near Kilmeague, Naas. The hill was free and the people sowed the potatoes in ridges without any manure.

Told by Patrick Lyons
Grangeclare,
Kilmeague