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XLIX. 
ON A MANATEE OF LIGHTING HOUSES IN OLD TIMES, 
ILLUSTHATED BY ETJSH-LIGHT CANDLESTICKS. By 
Eev. J. F. M. FEEENCH, E.E.S.A. (Ireland). 
[Eead January 12, 1891.] 
As long as houses in Ireland were round, and had no lofts or partitions, 
they were probably illuminated in summer by the light that came 
through the door, and in winter by the fire that was kindled in the 
centre of the floor; but as soon as houses were constructed of an 
oblong shape, and when fires were removed to one end or side of the 
house, and a separate exit or flue provided for smoke, and lofts and 
partitions were introduced, then the necessity for a household illumi- 
nant must have been quickly felt; and as we might have expected, we 
find very early mention of such lights. It is stated by Dr. Sullivan, 
in his introduction to the Manners and Customs," "that one of the 
essential articles of furniture in the house of a B6-Aire was a candle 
upon a candlestick," it being the custom that in such abodes a light 
should be kept burning through the night. Sullivan also tells us that 
an oblong house was divided roughly, in the direction of its length, 
into three parts by two rows of pillars, which supported the roof, the 
candelabrum being placed between the fire and the door, and generally 
towards the middle of the house. Although references to candles and 
candlesticks are plentiful enough, yet detailed information as to the 
manner in which the candlesticks were constructed, or the material of 
which the candles were made, is as far as I know very rare. No 
doubt the wax of the large quantity of honey that was paid " as rents 
and tributes to the Kings and other Elaths" was utilized by them for 
lighting purposes ; and in a legend recorded in one of the early Journals 
of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society, mention is made of a square 
wax candle, which if square must have been run in a mould. 
Doubtless also bog-wood was used as a torch for lighting purposes ; 
for, down to our own time, long strips of bog-wood were dried, and 
made use of by the poorer classes instead of candles, and were placed 
