Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "Now from the one 1700 acre estate the Land Commission is making about 30 family sized farms. These are being sold to reliable young families who are paying on an amortization plan extending over 68 1/2 years. This picture shows Mrs. Jack Dooyar in front of the house in which she and her husband lived for years as laborers on the estate. Because of their faithful service, they were given the opportunity to buy one of the small farms. They are now raising potatoes, cabbage, mangles, turnips, oats and hay. They have 8 cows, 20 sheep, 20 pigs, and 200 fowl. All this is on 40 acres." Photograph was hand colored.
Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "Throughout the country one can see evidence of the recent civil war. Bridges were blown up by the score. The new white stone section of those indicates the part which has been rebuilt in the reconstruction work. Land of New Plans. On December 6, 1922, the Irish Free State took its place as a distinct government. Since that date new plans have been developed to promote particularly the interests of agriculture and to establish new sources of hydro-electric power for industry, The Free State includes three southern provinces with their twenty-three counties and three counties of the province of Ulster."
Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "During the civil war which followed the revolution many of the larger homes were destroyed. This drove much of the capital from the country to England. Furthermore, it left a situation which the Free State Government has generously faced -- that of appraising the loss and of reorganizing the land to provide more family enterprises. This 1700 acre estate, near Thurles, was owned by Captain Clark, an Englishman. It was appraised and purchased by the Land Commission for 20,000 pounds or about $97,000."
Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "One of the first moves of the new government has been the recognition of the Gaelic language. This has been used by a minority of the people but it is the language of those, who, centuries ago possessed the land and who, like the Welsh and the Scotch Highlanders have been driven back into the rough unproductive hill sections. It is officially on a par with the English and all government signs and literature, like this sign over a Dublin post office are printed in both languages."
One of the oldest buildings in Dublin is the Weavers' Hall which was constructed some three centuries ago. It is said that there used to be two groups in the industrial section of the city, the weavers and the butchers and they were organized into unions which were constantly fighting each other. It was not uncommon in those days for one or the other to find in the morning some of its members hanging from a tree or pole.
Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "Today one notices other effects of lack of cooperation. Instead of having one common price taxi men bid against each other and compete as individuals for business. As a result no one is getting much ahead and old fashioned methods and equipments are still in style."
Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "Ireland has very few industries save agriculture, and is low in natural resources. In some of the level sections peat is the principal product. This is dug up, hauled to town and sold for fuel. The women play a large part in marketing this." Photograph was hand colored.
Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "The system of fencing for these farms is a most permanent one. Dirt is piled up about two feet and a half high and two feet wide at the bottom. This is sodded on both sides so that pasture area is gained rather than lost. Then on top a thick hedge is planted. In a few years will attain a dense growth high enough to make a real barrier for all classes of livestock."
