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In this extract the writer recalls his father working as a blacksmith in his forge in Clare, c.1950 - Junior Cycle History - Question (b) - 2005
Question (b)
In this extract the writer recalls his father working as a blacksmith in his forge in Clare, c.1950. (i) How regularly did the local farmers gather in Pat Joe’s for... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In this extract the writer recalls his father working as a blacksmith in his forge in Clare, c.1950 - Junior Cycle History - Question (b) - 2005
Step 1
Step 2
Give two reasons why the forge was important to the local farmers.
Answer
- The forge served as a vital social contact point for farmers, allowing them to engage in lively conversation and share opinions.
- It was essential for discussing the latest news from home and abroad, as well as taking care of farm horses, which was a key concern for farmers.
Step 3
What evidence is there of the effects of emigration on rural parts of Ireland at that time?
Answer
Evidence of emigration's effects includes the sense of loneliness expressed in the extract, highlighting the isolation many experienced, as seen in phrases like 'bachelors, isolated, lonely and remote.'
Step 4
From your study of social history, give two reasons why a scene such as this would have been hard to find in Ireland since the mid-1960s.
Answer
- The increasing prevalence of television from the early 1960s onwards began to fulfill the need for news and entertainment, reducing the social gatherings in places like the forge.
- The number of farm horses began to decline significantly during this period, as mechanization took over farming practices, thus decreasing the need for blacksmith services.