Library Forum

Would anyone know of sources of information on agricultural practice
in the Burren in the nineteenth century?

Hi Matt
Not sure how relevant this may be for it relates to Co Clare in general rather than the Burren in particular.
A few years back while wading thru pages of the Clare Journal I came upon an article in the issue of Mon 8 Aug 1859, entitled Rural and Domestic Economy - FARM OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST.
The article provides a rundown of recommended practices in tending to the various crops and farm animals for this time of the year. It may have been a regular feature in the Journal, but I don't really recall, it was a while back. I still have a copy of this one, so if you don't have ready access to the CJ I could send you a copy.
Cheers, murf

Hi Matt - does Lewis's A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837) assist in any way? When a friend and I (visiting from Oz) did a guided walk (from the Corrofin end) last year we heard talk about some farming techniques using kelp brought from the coast and packed into the fissures between the limestone outcrops. I haven't been able to find any reference to this practice in my brief searches, though.

Kerry

Many thanks for replies
What interested me was the preponderance of grazing and the
role of the herdsmen - called the herds.
And the balance between grazing and milk production.