Ties to the Land

7:35 PM Posted by Shana and Tim
53.2371 -7.87569
Thursday June 10, 2010

Today I interviewed our neighbor about living in Offaly and his familial links to the land. Michael could trace his family history back seven generations living on one plot of land and could link some of the homes on the property to his father and grandfather. Thus far my research and thinking had been largely focused on the towns in West Offaly and how Bord na Mona and its large scale industry has transformed these villages. The emphasis has been largely socio-cultural rather than environmental. Michael’s interview today, and his thoughts about history and heritage being place-based-down to the exact plot of land his ancestors used to farm and cook their meals-has made me realize that I need to really emphasis the long agrarian connection to emphasize the shift industry had on the landscape and the people.