Working Together

Meitheal, Roscommon 1949
Courtesy of Jim Rogers

In our grandparent's time farming communities often worked together. Neighbours helped each other with large farming tasks like making the hay and gathering the harvest. There was very little farm machinery in those days so many hands were needed to complete these tasks.

When neighbours worked together like this is was often called a 'Meitheal', which is the Irish word for team.

Enjoying lunch at the Meitheal

In this old photograph you can see a group of people enjoying lunch at the Meitheal. Even the children played their part in making the hay. As you can see they are all enjoying the fun and food as they take a break from the work.

Enjoying lunch at the Meitheal

Enjoying lunch at the Meitheal

In this old photograph you can see a group of people enjoying lunch at the Meitheal. Even the children played their part in making the hay. As you can see they are all enjoying the fun and food as they take a break from the work.

Enlarge image

At the Meitheal neighbours were not paid money for their work but food was always provided by the family.

Food and drink such as homemade brown bread, cheese, scones, tea and buttermilk were brought to the fields at mid-day. Great fun was had by all and this was just as important as getting the work done.

When the harvest or hay was finally 'brought home' there would be a house dance for all to enjoy. And so the process would continue with each family helping each other in turn.

Lunch-time at the Meitheal

Look carefully at this picture and see if you can fill in the blanks below.