Hiring Fairs were a common part of rural life in Ireland until the 1920s, they would survive until the 1940s in Letterkenny and Strabane. 

Workers would be hired out on a fixed term, usually six months. Payment could be poor, and the working conditions depended on the person that they were working for. 

Archie Reid was a History teacher and prolific film maker, you can find several of his gems on the Britain on Film map. This material is courtesy of Elizabeth Reid.