. 354 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



every meal ; it is made extremely strong, and, as elsewhere, is the 

 cause of a good deal of dyspepsia. 



Alcoholic liquors are not much drunk, as illicit distilling has 

 altogether ceased in this district. 



An average working day's dietary is as follows : — Breakfast : tea, 

 and home made bread. Dinner : fish, or eggs and potatoes. Supper ; 

 the same as breakfast. 



4. Clothing. — The homespun and home-dyed woollen fabrics still 

 constitute the bulk of the clothing worn, but are being superseded by 

 imported slop clothes of inferior quality; and the dress on working 

 days is nondescript and often ragged. On Sundays and holidays the 

 proportion of imported clothing seen is greater, and the homespun 

 suits are sometimes very different from the old types, being imitations 

 in cut of the imported goods. The dress of the men consists of a shirt 

 of thick white or chocolate-coloured homespun, with a rather high 

 plain band collar, and large bone buttons, or, in some cases, it is made 

 of imported flannel, purchased in Clifden or Westport. The single or 

 double-breasted waistcoat, with the large collar -flaps buttoned back, 

 is, when worn, generally put on inside the bawneen, or white flannel 

 coat, instead of outside, as was formerly the case. 



Trousers are of homespun or corduroy. 



A thick comforter is worn about the neck by many, even in very 

 warm weather. 



For head-dress, soft felt hats and caps of various shapes, all 

 imported, are now in general use, the old home-made flat, blue bonnet 

 being but little worn, except by the older men. It may be most 

 frequently seen in Westquarter and Inishshark. 



The men wear thick worsted stockings of dyed or " natural " wool, 

 and very stout boots of native make, as a regular part of their daily 

 attire, but the women and children go bare-footed, except on Sundays 

 and holidays. The dress of the women shows as great changes as that 

 of the men ; it is of the well-known Connemara type. 



The head is covered by a red kerchief, or small shawl, often a 

 plaid, but so far as seen never by a " mutch" (a cap with white frill). 

 Over the shoulders a small red tartan shawl is folded, half hiding a 

 jacket, or bodice, of homespun, or imported woollen stuff ; the petti- 

 coat is short, and dyed a bright red with madder, and sometimes 

 trimmed with a few rows of black braid, and a wide check apron is 

 usually worn. Some women, ,on Sundays, wear the old large blue 

 cloak with hood and double cape. 



The small boys wear the kilt-like frock of white, red, or brown 



