Page 38 - Guide_EN

Wash House The wash house with its external walled fire place came here from farm “Achrain” in 1982. The date carved onto the ridge beam shows that it was built in 1857. Washing, along with bread baking was “women’s work”. It was such an effort it was only carried out rather irregularly. Wash day provided the opportunity for a proper wash and the warm water was a welcome treat, especially for the children. After the small children had been bathed the water was not quite as clean for the older children and the adults but this did not reduce the pleasure of bathing in any way. They washed themselves with lye from wood ashes or homemade soap. This was made from the lard from a slaughtered cow. The spinner, the mangle and the press displayed were forerunners of the present day washing machine, dryer and iron. There were unwritten rules associated with the hanging of the washed clothes. For example the phrase, “At the back with the underwear” probably comes from a preventative measure undertaken to ensure than the not always spotlessly clean underwear was hung at the rear of the balcony next to the house wall and out of the sight from the prying neighbours. 36