Besoms and Brushes

 

Having a go at making besoms with dried grasses and rushes.

Traditionally made with dried grasses and straw in Ireland, used in the home for sweeping, dusting and sprinkling holy water.

These besoms would last a year and new ones made around summer solstice.

My amazing new book straw, Hay and Rushes in Irish Folk tradition, shows a drawing of a lady at Market selling her besoms.

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It was traditional at summer solstice to go to Cnockrainney in lough Gur, Co Limerick or Aíne's Hill with bunches of straw tied together in bundles onto sticks. These besoms would be set on fire to bring good luck to the harvest and keep the cattle safe.

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These little brushes are really handy for dusting and cleaning down tables.

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