Meitheals still going strong!
MEITHEAL is the Irish word to describe the coming together in times past of neighbours in rural Ireland to assist each other in the saving of turf, hay, and more.
On Saturday morning, November 24, Emlaghpeiste bog in mainland Portmagee was the venue for a meitheal of three generations, which came together to bring home the turf of Anthony Jack O’Sullivan of Ballyhearney, Valentia.
Due to extreme circumstances beyond his control, Anthony was unable to bring his turf home at the normal time of year.
Those who assisted the hard-working Ballyhearney farmer in bringing home the sod safely were his mother, Eileen; sons, Cian and Donagh; brother, Ger Jack; Mikey Joe O’Sullivan with his fixed double-tyres Zetor tractor and trailer; Ger ‘Cap’ Murphy and his trusty Case International tractor and trailer; as well as Diarmuid (Darby Lynch) and the Renard farmer Donncha Lynch.
“It’s the latest we ever got the turf home!” exclaimed Anthony’s mother, Eileen, in an in-depth, no-holds-barred interview on the matter.
Donncha Lynch said, “It was a relief to get the turf out as it is nearly time to cut next year’s turf now, but it is great to see the third generation of O’ Sullivans taking interest in the turf.”