The Fingal area of Co Dublin has a long and important history around food production and processing. Building on the Blas Fingal’s Food Heritage | Fingal County Council project and the results of the oral heritage audit, a new pilot study into an oral history of this essential aspect of collective food heritage is being launched. People who have stories about this fascinating history, whether of their own experiences in the sector, or stories handed down in their families and communities, are eagerly sought.
It is hoped to speak to a wide range of people who have stories about the following categories:
- Farmers and small producers in the areas of market gardening, crop production, and other forms of agriculture, including animal husbandry and dairy.
- Seasonal, including casual and migratory, or nomadic workers in the food industry, including people with experience of gathering crops such as potatoes and other root vegetables, fruit, etc.
- Those involved in direct sales or wholesale business, including greengrocers and market vendors.
- Those involved in food processing, such as milling, small scale food businesses (for example, home-based baking or catering businesses).
- Those involved in poultry businesses, including egg production and sales.
- Those directly involved in exportation of food products.
- Families with a history of fishing and selling fish and other products relating to the sea.
- Families with a history of hunting or snaring rabbits for their own consumption or for sale.
- Families with a knowledge of foraging wild fruits and other wild edibles, either for personal consumption or for sale.
- Those directly involved in the transportation of foods to and from markets.
Of special interest are stories that are not always captured in historical or statistical material, such as accounts of personal enterprises and small, home-based businesses.
Over the next couple of months, it is planned to carry out recorded interviews and start working on an important collection of oral histories relating to this area and its fascinating history in this sector.
If you are interested in participating in this project, or would like to recommend someone you know, please get in touch at foodheritage@fingal.ie to provide your contact details. The lead researcher, Dr Deirdre Nuttall, will contact you to arrange an interview.