Flashback to Kildare turf cutting champions 90 years ago
Turfing cutting believed to have taken place in the Bog of Allen in the 1920s
As turf cutting by sleans was taking place recently in the Nurney area, our own correspondent Breda Thackaberry recalled conversations of her youth around the old turf fire on the hearth about the All-Ireland turf cutting competitions of the 1930s.
'The first such event was held on Allenwood bog in 1934 with 77 competitors. Members of Kildoon Turf Co-Operative Society participated.
The Finlater cup for the best all-round wing slean work was won by James Howard, Kildoon (my late father) and Mary Dempsey, Kildoon was second in the turf footing, Rose Howard (my late mother), Kildoon 3rd and Mary Kearney Walterstown 4th.
The prizes were presented by Éamon de Valera. Jim Lawler, Kildoon won this cup in 1936 for wing slean and Tim Kelly, Kildoon (my uncle) was the last winner in 1939. My mother emerged victorious for footing in 1935 and again in 1939.'
