Joe travels to orchard country in Co Armagh and the village of Loughgall. Joe talks to husband and wife team Ronne and Pat Reilly who are both local teachers. Pat talks about growing up on the Cope family estate and the history of land disputes between farmers and the “big house” as well as visits by the great Jonathan Swift. Francis Ward and Sean Mac An
tSaoir show Joe their work at a heritage orchard where some varieties of apple
are represented by a single remaining tree.
Jim
McAdam talks to Jow about experiments in tree planting on farmland which still
allow sheep to graze at the same time. The trees in question are ash trees to
be used for making hurling sticks. Joe finishes by visiting the cottage at the
Diamond crossroads, scene of the historical battle which led to the formation
of the Orange Order. Colin Winter shows Joe the crafts and traditions maintained
in the cottage such as weaving, as demonstrated by John McAtasney.