Are you still using turf?

08-07-2019 5:28pm #1

You can't move on the country by-roads, this time of year, without being stuck behind a Ford 4600 pulling a load of turf.

This year, for the first year since we got off Cromwell's boat, the Miltiades family have no turf. I will miss the turf this year, the sweet, damp smell of it in the house, and wafting up the lane. I'll miss the crumbly, craggy feeling of handling it, the great heat out of it, turf as a topic of conversation for visitors; turf mould for the garden beds. We will never find a use for all these empty 10,10,20 bags.

The Department and the EU habitats directive have finally closed-off the bog at home, it's strictly for the skylark, the grouse, and the meadow pipit, now. It's only fair I suppose, but it's sad to face into a winter with no turf.

Are you still bringing home the turf?

Infernal Racket · 08-07-2019 5:33pm

I put in a wood pellet stove back in February. Best move ever. I hate turf ever since I was a kid being dragged to the bog. Midgets, cracked skin, turf mould in every crevice. Wont miss it even one little bit

08-07-2019 5:35pm

Gerry G wrote: »

I put in a wood pellet stove back in February. Best move ever. I hate turf ever since I was a kid being dragged to the bog. Midgets, cracked skin, turf mould in every crevice. Wont miss it even one little bit

Light a fire when you're footing it. Keeps the midges away, and quite possibly a few of those dastardly midgets too.

kneemos · 08-07-2019 5:46pm

Gerry G wrote: »

I put in a wood pellet stove back in February. Best move ever. I hate turf ever since I was a kid being dragged to the bog. Midgets, cracked skin, turf mould in every crevice. Wont miss it even one little bit

The **** is turf mould.

Shlippery · 08-07-2019 5:53pm

kneemos wrote: »

The **** is turf mould.

The black dushty bits and pieces.

branie2 · 08-07-2019 5:55pm

Dr_serious2 · 08-07-2019 5:57pm

Yes

08-07-2019 5:58pm

kneemos wrote: »

The **** is turf mould.

Sorry, I meant turf 'mowld'.

1o059k7ewrqj3n · 08-07-2019 5:59pm

Always loved the smell of a turf fire.

They need to make that a fragrance, along with freshly cut grass and petrol.

JohnnyFlash · 08-07-2019 6:01pm

My brother still takes turf from the family plot. I don’t take many bags, but I will head down there some weekend to make a few bottles of poitín with himself.

coolshannagh28 · 08-07-2019 6:02pm

Steyr 556 wrote: »

Always loved the smell of a turf fire.

They need to make that a fragrance, along with freshly cut grass and petrol.

Its available actually in some gift stores as a lighted scent packaged in a miniature Irish cottage

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 08-07-2019 6:08pm

I used to enjoy the smell of a turf fire but there is just too much against it to continue burning it.

It is not an efficient source of heat by a long way. It is adding to pollution in it's burning and destroying a natural environment and natural carbon sink in it's harvesting. The only people I know who are enthusiastic about turf still, and who refuse to admit it is not an efficient fuel, are a few elderly neighbours who bum a few free or cheap loads locally every year.

Infernal Racket · 08-07-2019 6:14pm

Steyr 556 wrote: »

Always loved the smell of a turf fire.

They need to make that a fragrance, along with freshly cut grass and petrol.

Add permanent markers to that list

08-07-2019 6:20pm

Graysen Chubby Spice wrote: »

It is not an efficient source of heat by a long way.

I hear this a lot, what's the exact science/ calculation behind it?

We spend less than a grand for a winter's supply of turf, at home. None of the rads work, so it's the only source of heat, apart from maybe one trailer load of timber (which goes in no time, and seems super inefficient).

I live in a smaller house, in Dublin, and my heating costs are a few hundred quid higher. And my house is better insulated. I'm curious as to the provenance of this fact. Perhaps I am your elderly neighbour.

FrancieBrady · 08-07-2019 6:20pm

Steyr 556 wrote: »

Always loved the smell of a turf fire.

They need to make that a fragrance, along with freshly cut grass and petrol.

My wife was doing an international craft fair and the guy on the stand beside her was selling little rectangles of marble along with some tiny pieces of turf. The idea being that you could place the turf on the marble and light it thus creating the smell of a turf fire.
He was cleaning up on orders from the US buyers and curiously the Japanese.

Jupiter Mulligan · 08-07-2019 6:24pm

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

I hear this a lot, what's the exact science/ calculation behind it?

https://www.seai.ie/resources/seai-statistics/conversion-factors/

whisky_galore · 08-07-2019 6:25pm

No, have moved on to other recreational drugs

Your Face · 08-07-2019 6:28pm

No, I only use coal that is delivered by a slatternly cockney child worker.
He wont see 20 but he's lovable and cheeky with it.

maxwell smart · 08-07-2019 6:30pm

Was in Connemara at the weekend and the amount of turf, bagged up and ready to go, along the side of the roads was amazing. Made me realise what a cynical and suspicious place where I live has become. You can't leave your bins out in the East of the country without someone nicking them

08-07-2019 6:32pm

Jupiter Mulligan wrote: »

https://www.seai.ie/resources/seai-statistics/conversion-factors/

But turf is so much cheaper. Cost really should be considered when discussing efficiency.

Not wanting to split hairs, but that chart is really about efficacy, not efficiency.

You're literally comparing 1 tonne of turf to 1 tonne of oil, while ignoring cost -- a huge factor.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 08-07-2019 6:49pm

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

I hear this a lot, what's the exact science/ calculation behind it?

We spend less than a grand for a winter's supply of turf, at home. None of the rads work, so it's the only source of heat, apart from maybe one trailer load of timber (which goes in no time, and seems super inefficient).

I live in a smaller house, in Dublin, and my heating costs are a few hundred quid higher. And my house is better insulated. I'm curious as to the provenance of this fact. Perhaps I am your elderly neighbour.

Not much more than a grand will heat every room in this house with coal and a back boiler, plus an oil fired boiler.

I used turf for many years and know I got less heat per £ than I do from any other source.

08-07-2019 6:51pm

Graysen Chubby Spice wrote: »

I used turf for many years and know I got less heat per £ than I do from any other source.

Per tonne, yes. But per pound or euro?

You must have been buying very dear turf.

What were you paying for a plot?

Edgware · 08-07-2019 6:56pm

Our family have cut turf for over 200 years, even under the British landlords, so our E.U. landlords and the Green Party gob****es can piss off if they think we are going to stop now

Doctors room ghost · 08-07-2019 7:20pm

We are drawing out home this past 2 weeks.a mighty year for turf.
Hope to be finished Friday.
The bog is good for the soul and you would ate steel after a day in it.
Give me a week in the bog alone with the skylark singing and ye May keep yere crowded foreign holiday

glaswegian · 08-07-2019 7:23pm

I find it very cost efficient,E300 for 300 yards = 220 bags,more than enough to heat the living room stove for the year, E500 of kero for the rads,job done.

steves2 · 08-07-2019 7:39pm

My family use turf from my fathers bog, he can still cut it but only a matter of time before it's stopped.

The smell of a turf fire is something from my childhood and even adulthood that I'll always love but God I'm glad I'll never have to empty out a fire in my house (no chimney, gas boiler).

I think it should be consigned to the past, our ancestors used to go around on donkey and cart but we gave that up didn't we?

Even just to protect the bogs and the wildlife. It doesn't have to be doom and gloom, theres good reasons to do it and should be supports to help reluctants to switch over.

Jupiter Mulligan · 08-07-2019 9:25pm

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

But turf is so much cheaper. Cost really should be considered when discussing efficiency.

Not wanting to split hairs, but that chart is really about efficacy, not efficiency.

You're literally comparing 1 tonne of turf to 1 tonne of oil, while ignoring cost -- a huge factor.

You asked for science, I gave you science!

Now you want to do a Moore Street haggle, but this heat pump man isn't going to play!

Jupiter Mulligan · 08-07-2019 9:39pm

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

We are drawing out home this past 2 weeks.a mighty year for turf.
Hope to be finished Friday.
The bog is good for the soul and you would ate steel after a day in it.
Give me a week in the bog alone with the skylark singing and ye May keep yere crowded foreign holiday

Pulling a sentimental curtain over the horsefly (cleg) bites that I know you get!

But there are few things as uplifting as hearing the lark's song in a lonely place.

Feisar · 08-07-2019 9:45pm

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Sorry, I meant turf 'mowld'.

Sorted

branie2 · 08-07-2019 9:48pm

I went to the bog a few times as a kid to cut turf. Well, my father did the cutting.

Doctors room ghost · 08-07-2019 9:52pm

Jupiter Mulligan wrote: »

Pulling a sentimental curtain over the horsefly (cleg) bites that I know you get!

But there are few things as uplifting as hearing the lark's song in a lonely place.

A good shot of that Indian fly spray bottle the green one and they won’t be bothered with ya.
Indian jungle or something it’s called.
She’s good for the soul lads and lasses is the bog.
Recharges the batteries.
Fire the car up on the ditch and leave the phone in it.
Beautiful silence.only the sound of the turfs progress and nature to accompany you.
Ah yes.The bog is heaven.

Squall Leonhart · 08-07-2019 9:53pm

Whatever happened to The Backwards Man? He'd be all over this thread.

Where did he ever go??

Doctors room ghost · 08-07-2019 9:54pm

branie2 wrote: »

I went to the bog a few times as a kid to cut turf. Well, my father did the cutting.

There’s dam all cutting now.its mostly all machine.be it hopper or sausage.
Give her a turn then when she’s skinned foot it when fit and draw her home.not a bother

_Brian · 08-07-2019 9:54pm

Are they still using peat to generate electricity?? If so essentially we’re all using turf.

Doctors room ghost · 08-07-2019 9:55pm

Squall Leonhart wrote: »

Whatever happened to The Backwards Man? He'd be all over this thread.

Where did he ever go??

He fell into a boghole and never made it out.
Main thing is he went doing what made him happy.

_Brian · 08-07-2019 9:57pm

Thing that annoys me is lads banging on about the tradition of cutting turf that goes back to their grandfather and great grandfather.

Load of rubbish, in with a 20Ton tracked machine scooping onto sausage makers isn’t traditional, it’s devastation of a prime habitat on industrial scale and should be stopped.

We should allow anyone cut turf using same tools their great grandfathers had, spade and a barrow. Amazingly I recon lads would loose interest in the tradition then.

08-07-2019 9:59pm

Squall Leonhart wrote: »

Whatever happened to The Backwards Man? He'd be all over this thread.

Where did he ever go??

Word in the bog has it that he's chained himself to the gates of the Dept of Heritage and Bogs, in protest at the Habitats Directive.

Sympathetic locals are filling gallons of Harp to keep him hydrated.

Doctors room ghost · 08-07-2019 10:00pm

_Brian wrote: »

Thing that annoys me is lads banging on about the tradition of cutting turf that goes back to their grandfather and great grandfather.

Load of rubbish, in with a 20Ton tracked machine scooping onto sausage makers isn’t traditional, it’s devastation of a prime habitat on industrial scale and should be stopped.

We should allow anyone cut turf using same tools their great grandfathers had, spade and a barrow. Amazingly I recon lads would loose interest in the tradition then.

The old shlane lad.and take your time cleaning down the top bank.make sure the wheel is good on the barra or she’ll sink to the axles

08-07-2019 10:01pm

_Brian wrote: »

We should allow anyone cut turf using same tools their great grandfathers had, spade and a barrow. Amazingly I recon lads would loose interest in the tradition then.

*Hits Brian over the head with his sleaghan*

Doctors room ghost · 08-07-2019 10:02pm

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Word in the bog has it that he's chained himself to the gates of the Dept of Heritage and Bogs, in protest at the Habitats Directive.

Sympathetic locals are filling gallons of Harp to keep him hydrated.

And they’re drawing ham sangwidges to him by the car trailer load.that and a barrel of digestive biscuits.

Bobblehats · 08-07-2019 10:03pm

Where is the backwards man? Known to be partial to a good turf fire. Matter of fact, last time I saw he had enough to last him a lifetime

Bobblehats · 08-07-2019 10:05pm

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

He fell into a boghole and never made it out.
Main thing is he went doing what made him happy.

Good lord no. Welll okay...

Doctors room ghost · 08-07-2019 10:06pm

Bobblehats wrote: »

Where is the backwards man? Known to be partial to a good turf fire. Matter of fact, last time I saw he had enough to last him a lifetime

There’s no such thing as having enough turf.
That’s a myth.
You build more sheds or you tip it out on the wife’s good lawn and cover it with a truck tarp.
Have a care would you ever say you have enough turf

Jupiter Mulligan · 08-07-2019 10:10pm

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

A good shot of that Indian fly spray bottle the green one and they won’t be bothered with ya.
Indian jungle or something it’s called.
She’s good for the soul lads and lasses is the bog.
Recharges the batteries.
Fire the car up on the ditch and leave the phone in it.
Beautiful silence.only the sound of the turfs progress and nature to accompany you.
Ah yes.The bog is heaven.

Jungle juice.

Some of the clegs around here seem addicted to it!

jester77 · 08-07-2019 10:29pm

Had to deal with it as a kid, dad down in a hole cutting and throwing them up to my uncle and myself to lay down. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. This dreary Summers where it would rain every day and you would be up to your knees in it. Hard men they were.

Now I have my district heating, stats inside and outside that automatically control the heating. Never have to touch a button all year round. Nothing like coming in on a cold winter day, taking off the shoes and feeling the warmth of the floor under the cold feet.

Capt'n Midnight · 09-07-2019 1:25am

_Brian wrote: »

Are they still using peat to generate electricity?? If so essentially we’re all using turf.

https://www.rte.ie/news/leinster/2019/0706/1060513-lough-ree-power-plant/

Operations at a power station in the midlands have been suspended for the coming weeks following concerns over hot water discharges from it into the River Shannon nearby.

Global warming and all that. It's only 100MW.

Graces7 · 09-07-2019 6:05am

Turf, yes.

Cut out here on the island, by hand, using the old tools , by my neighbours.
I cannot dig so I buy from them.

This contributes to the island economy. Keeps the money here which benefits us all .

Also the cost and "carbon footprint" of bringing (Polish) coal over by ferry is high. Tried that last winter, and no more. and the cost of electricity by comparison...

Before I came to Ireland I lived on another " turf island" and learned "the way with the turf" and prefer it to all other fuels. There is a skill to it. A lovely heat it emits. My solid fuel stove heats the water also from it. Cook atop.. Makes great toast too!

And the aroma so evocative.
Perfection.

d8491prj5boyvg · 09-07-2019 6:39am

kneemos wrote: »

The **** is turf mould.

We have a townie!

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 09-07-2019 6:42am

Jaysus lads, ya cant bate a turf sambwhich

d8491prj5boyvg · 09-07-2019 6:42am

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

I hear this a lot, what's the exact science/ calculation behind it?

We spend less than a grand for a winter's supply of turf, at home. None of the rads work, so it's the only source of heat, apart from maybe one trailer load of timber (which goes in no time, and seems super inefficient).

I live in a smaller house, in Dublin, and my heating costs are a few hundred quid higher. And my house is better insulated. I'm curious as to the provenance of this fact. Perhaps I am your elderly neighbour.

Less heat produced per quantity burned compared to any other fuel.

09-07-2019 6:49am

Are you still using turf?

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