Interior of a cabin, c.1890 (platinum print)

"Irish mountain farm kitchen with turf grate" This is clearly the home of a relatively prosperous family: the furniture in the room is solid and plentiful, and glimpsed through the open door is a well-made cupboard. A typical 'crane' is suspended over the hearth, from which various pots and utensils can be hung. Note the 'keeping-holes' built into the wall on either side of the hearth. According to old tradition, the hole on the left of the fire belonged to the housewife, that on the right to her husband. The bed on the left of the room, the 'outshot' bed, was often reserved for a grandparent, who would be kept warm at night by the fire.