Trades and Occupations in our parish

Tom and Pat Dolly emptying the cart

Photo: Dolly family photo collection, Dangan

John Keane (Jack Happy) with Joe Mannion formerly of Barbersfort and now living in the USA

Photo: Out and About magazine 2005

Farming

Farming was the principal occupation of the people of Killererin and the surrounding vicinity. Many families had a mother or daughter who worked as seamstress or dressmaker and this supplemented their income. Those who lived close to the village of Barnaderg and the Big Houses in the area, held other occupations such as cook, housemaid, gardener, groom or gamekeeper.

Transfer of ownership from Landlords to tenants

The vast majority of farms during the late 1900s were beginning the process of transfer of ownership under the Land Commission from landlords to tenants. At this time, the more affluent farmers were obvious by the number of outhouses on their homestead. Some even employed farm labourers, journeymen and domestic servants. Due to the vast amount of people who had emigrated, labour was often scarce during the busy harvesting and turf cutting season.

Journeymen help with harvesting etc.

The preparation of the land for the potato crop, the harvesting of the grain crops and the making of hay were very time consuming in their preparation and gathering. In those days, both men and women travelled the country (known as journeymen),[1] moving from farm to farm offering their services and many returned year after year. They brought with them all kinds of stories, yarns and general gossip which they picked up along the way. Some were master thatchers, others builders. They also brought knowledge of different farming methods. They did this in exchange for a roof over their heads and food.

Travelling workers were no longer required

As farming became less labour intensive and modified seeds were introduced, followed by weedkiller sprays, the travelling worker’s role diminished towards the end of the 60s and finally died out.

Journeymen who frequented this parish

The following are the names of the journeymen who frequented the parish: big Joe McDonnell, John Keane, (Jack Happy), John Egan, Tom Clayton, Tom Lynskey, Joe Boyle, Bike Mike Diskin, Johnny Diskin, Johnny Davis, Tom Sweeney, John Lydon and Mike O’Malley.