Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

---

Here is a chat I recorded with James Walsh back in August 2025. The chat centres around the dresser but then he sparks memories of his family while also recalls local customs such as old funeral 'Resting Stones' and also killing a fowl on St. Martin's Night - the 11th of November.

James grew up in this house and said his father came here from Oughule in 1913. He told me the dresser was carried by hand from their old home in Uggool, over the mountain — a good four miles — since there was no transport back then. Sounds unbelievable, but he swore it was 100% true.

The dresser has no drawers; instead, it features a panelled door, similar in design to other dressers in the locality. It also has the shelf for large plates at the bottom, which is found with other local dressers too. James added an extra piece of hinged wood at the base to keep the cats from getting underneath the dresser.

This interview was recorded by Michael Fortune for The Irish Dresser Project and also The Irish Dresser and Folklore Calendar. You can find out more at www.thedresserproject.ie or www.folklore.ie