The Life of a Road Worker, Co. Tipperary, Ireland 1968

[@thelastdetail1]

Honest hardworking people. The backbone of any real society. There was an honour and a decency in their lives and many hundreds of thousands like them that was worth gold.

[@burntbacon7995]

I knew many such men (and women) in my childhood and sad to say that they are almost all gone from this life.

[@bobbyallen7977]

I was this way in Texas 40 years ago when people thought this type of work was for Mexicans and black Americans. I didn't give a damn because I worked hard for my living and I loved my fellow workers regardless of race or religion.I still do.No matter what we do we must give it what we have.

[@timber8403]

and a tee totaler .,..

[@deeppurple883]

Donkey out sick, Irish man wanted, ☘️

[@peterah7957]

Yet they were paid peanuts and let down by the lack of services that should of been provided

[@kieranmcglynn1698]

That's my father, my grandfather, my uncle. Real men hard working decent human beings. Hadn't much but they were content. We don't hear about these forgotten heroes as much as we should.

[@vandiesel300]

I take it your father was the lad that was going to be a carpenter, how did everything pan out for everybody?

[@novideoshere4221]

Wdym forgotten heroes relax dude all he did was shovel dirt

[@kieranmcglynn1698]

@@novideoshere4221 obviously you can't see this for what it is..pity really

[@novideoshere4221]

@@kieranmcglynn1698 dude he just shovel dirt and ireland was poor back than so that's what had to be done like in america and england they already had machines to do all that

[@nmatthew7469]

He was a great man.

[@bluegtturbo]

Ireland has become materially unbelievably richer than when I grew up in the 60s in the rural heart of the country. Like everyone around us we had no money. But I remember clearly the sense of community. Now everybody is rushing around busy making more money to build a bigger house. I can't help feeling we lost more than we gained.

[@colinmurphy2214]

I lament the fact that I’ll never live in a society like this. The hustle and bustle of Dublin and general modern society is toxic and lonesome. We’ve become disconnected from the land and from each other. Sure it wasn’t all sunshine back then either, but it seems to have been wholesome and fulfilling.

[@ethanpace2225]

I’m in the USA (state of Georgia). It’s still pretty rural and the feeling is the same. I spent a little time in a small city, but I now live on the same land my grandfather farmed and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. It’s tough work, but we can regain what we’ve lost in little ways.

[@josefdenis3799]

Country doesn't really have money after only debt

[@lonesomeStu]

@John Sheehan Couldn't agree more.

[@philip.aocallaghan4602]

Absolutely agree. people are now obsessed with possessions, with no sense of community at all. People nowadays don't even know their neighbours

[@anthonylynch3699]

My home town of Cahir, The Galtee Inn and Kennedys butchers are still there today. God be with the days.

[@nmatthew7469]

Glad to hear that, God bless your town.

[@rosiesharpley9011]

My Mum always cooked dinner for our man when he worked near our house and it was considered a privilege to do so. He got the full works including a lovely pudding. His name was Geoff Donoghue. These workers and the Postman were held in the highest esteem . Well they were Civil Servants ??? to us and served our Community.

[@basichistory]

A hard working man and his family worth their weight in gold.

[@g-dcomplex1609]

3:58 "i've got a lovely home, a lovely family, a good husband, i'm very happy" now how often does any of us hear such loving and appreciative words?

[@russellking9762]

she genuinely meant every word of it too God Bless Her…today a woman could be married to a good man who has given her 20x more and still not be happy…in fact resent him underneath..sad but true

[@Lar308]

She sure doesn't look happy?

[@ogstopper]

The Ireland of my childhood. They were happy days.

[@brianbirish]

In so many,many ways..........

[@bobbyallen7977]

I absolutely love the Irish ways and culture.Im an American so that makes me a mutt but my DNA tells me that I'm very Irish but I m Anglo for the rest.l would like to visit Eire before I go.Its beautiful.

[@jasonlofgan66]

In the town I loved so well

[@Alphae21]

@@jasonlofgan66 you should come over

[@jasonlofgan66]

@@Alphae21 I've been to Ireland twice, will be there again once the silly covid rules are gone 🤞👍

[@markcantemail8018]

Michael Is Happy in his work because no body told him he Had to wear an Orange Vest and P P E . So refreshing to be able to get right to Work . I am proud of you !

[@animallover19581]

That 15 year old is now 68..wonder did he become a carpenter. They seem the perfect family happy, contented, and comfortable. They were upwardly mobile in 1968 very few cottiers ( as I was ) had a pony and tub trap back then. A donkey and cart was the usual mode of transport if you were lucky. With a cow and a big garden on the acre plot and a shed full of turf. Simple happy days .Just 3 children was also unusual. Yeah a great family hope it continued so blissful for them.

[@moley212008]

Contentment, is perhaps the greatest gift.

[@jimbanda]

I have a faint memory of these type of workers , hard working , arriving by bike early in the morning and spending the day "side dressing" the roads and drains. it was snow ,hail , rain or wind same thing keep working. Satisfaction and contentment in their work and lives. I salute them with all my heart ❤️

[@beakfordclakington1337]

God speed u

[@danhealy3261]

A man is rich in proportion to what he can do without

[@Jesse__H]

Amen. With frugality comes the happiness of NOT having things.

[@natmol1595]

@@Jesse__H absolutely !! Happiness is a state of mind ❤ How many speed boats can one own anyway? 😉😆

[@philiplevins6702]

indeed Dan...'less is more'...my family are from farming stock in Co.Louth....had the very best of times back in Ireland

[@richgouette]

Yet another fascinating peek into the lives of a beautiful people of face and soul..

[@j.b.4340]

This was a beautiful film.

[@donalfinn4205]

An absolutely brilliant video. I remember seeing lone Council workers tipping away by themselves over several days in one particular spot. His food and canteen tied up on his bike and out in all weathers. God bless them. The Engineer could make it hard or easy for them depending on who they were. These workmen were good, wholesome, decent men. Most of them anyway. Brian Cleeve was the reporter. He made great films. I think RTE got rid of him because they didn’t like the sound of his voice. I loved his films.

[@shaun5944]

Thank you for the information Donal 👍👋

[@natmol1595]

My Uncle Bill Moloney used to say, ' so many great workers in their graves...but you never see a grave stone that says he / she was a great worker' ❤

[@wilfredwilde9559]

That’s for sure .I counted all the local people who have passed I knew growing up in the eighties in Ireland and it was nearly a hundred.Now in London I know about five people but I’m used to it . I’m glad I grew up where I did .Those little hammers for breaking stones were up on a shelf in a shed at our place .Over a century old .Long gone now ,taken by one of my fathers “ friends”. I would love to have met my great grandparents.

[@finolaomurchu8217]

@@wilfredwilde9559 Those old tools, when you feel the worn by hard work, wooden handle, it is a type of treasure.

[@missadda8890]

Good luck finding a woman that would be happy and content with so little nowadays,reminds me of all my uncles and aunts in Cork in the 60s the minute the women got married they quit their jobs and became housewives,everything inside the house was my mothers dept(cooking,cleaning,child rearing,budgeting etc) and everything outside(house, car maintenance and most of all the income )was my fathers dept,it worked very well they were happily married over 50 years and had a great social life with neighbours,friends and family and that was the key in my opinion.

[@dellhell8842]

For many women, giving up a job outside the home wasn't voluntary. Women who worked anywhere in the public service (except teaching where there was a shortage) had no choice but to give up their jobs when they married. The married woman ban was only lifted in 1973, 50 years after it's introduction.

[@disprogreavette8545]

From the looks of there won't be more than a handful of 50 year marriages from my generation or my childrens. My parents hit 62 years this year and I'm on 24 but many of my friends are divorced (or on their second) and many from my kids genration aren't interested in marriage. Times really have changed, greetings from the Canadian bush.

[@dougtheviking6503]

My parents didn't have much when I was young . Now here I am with alot for my kids and the family. It's just a bunch of shit . Doesn't make me happy at all .

[@dellhell8842]

@@disprogreavette8545 Same here in Ireland. We're 30 years married but many relatives and friends haven't made it that far. Average age of people marrying in Ireland now is 36/35 for men/women.

[@animallover19581]

Funny only the other day I passed a Council truck filling potholes. This was a high tech bit of kit . The driver sat in his air conditioned cab he can operate a boom or arm to fill the potholes. A one man operation. Amazing technology. I was thinking that I can remember 3 or 4 men with a pony and cart , barell of tar and chips filling the potholes. Christ I have seen some changes. Must be getting old. So much admiration for men like Michael who toiled out in all weathers., and still were happy.

[@danbreen6946]

Such A Hard Working Family Man Who Seemed To Love His Job How Life Has Changed

[@peterah7957]

I respect that guy so much!

[@view1st]

This video gives us an interesting insight into a world that is now gone.

[@CycleAlong]

At least they were able to afford a house! I'm jealous of them

[@DianeD862]

Your right about that think you still work hard .You have long days. You've got my admiration.All Farmer's Keep calm .💚💚💚💯💚💚💚💚💚💚

[@onepalproductions]

People could afford a family house from a single wage at that time, yet today people believe they're better off.

[@ringorolden2994]

@@onepalproductions central banks and inflation. Fed reserve off gold standard 1971. Banks also stopped fractional reserve lending. Led to hyperinflation esp property last 40yrs. Throw in good exchange rates in EU- uk- usa large foreign billionaires+ companies by vast chunks to rent out and make on exchange rate. It fvks over ord person so ruling elites gain.

[@daveh6151]

Well it probably took a few generations to own it

[@CycleAlong]

@@believingregardlessforever to be fair a house cost all of 2-3 times their annual wage as an unskilled, uneducated road worker

[@brigitnunez6735]

An excellent video. Love it so much. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@joelarkin4268]

I love the videos of Ireland 🇮🇪☘️☘️☘️🌈

[@sittinginthebasement]

My g-grandfather was from southern Tipperary, born near Clonmel. It's lovely to hear those sweet, lyrical accents and imagine that's my g-grand sounded. My g-grandmother was born on the Galway/Roscommon and I have spoken to cousins from there--those accents seem a little thicker to my American ears than those in Tipperary.

[@silverbullet8338]

Hard work ,never hurt anyone ! Nice to see all that old machinery.

[@tommorrissey]

My auld fella’s response to that was always “ but it crippled a fair few” 😉

[@JohnWick-stardawg]

Lmao hard work never hurt anyone? Tell that to my back, my knees and my shoulders.

[@Beam_Teamer]

@@JohnWick-stardawg Haha

[@MariaMartinez-kg6ns]

Thank you a lot it a beautiful video god bless

[@brede6904]

I was born on a farm near kilteely co Limerick ; I was the youngest of 10 children; we still milked by hand up on tell 1984; been in Australia now for 30 years; God do I remember these days The old people were beautiful they would always feed you when you worked on there farm ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

[@peternall6566]

When you are a grafter and your getting stuck into your job, you tend to zone out and and as a result are in a semi meditative state. When you are in that place you cant be nothing but happy. Be happy everyone 🙏🌼😉

[@nickbrennan3389]

Thats true 👍

[@inspectec]

He and his wife worked hard to rear their family. Nothing fancy in life but they seem content. Decent hardworking people, the backbone of all civilisation.

[@michaelkeating7380]

The context of this documentary, which would have been obvious to Irish viewers in 1968, was the expected social impact of recently introduced free secondary education for all.

[@merocaine]

Thank you for pointing the context out, the closing monologue makes much more sense now.

[@duskeyowl2507]

3 decades behind most countries

[@matthewfarmer6830]

Nice documentary, keep them coming. 😊

[@gerry6420]

Different times. People had nothing. The basics. And were 1000 times happier then people today

[@Discover-Ireland]

The men that made Eire ☘️

[@philleeson7835]

And most of England. we'd be buggered without the road gangs from the emerald isle

[@minisla]

Never knew they used to cap stone walls with sods of grass. Interesting

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

Yes we do here in Cornwall, the grass grows and the roots “tie in”the stones.

[@JohnDoe-jn3es]

What a treat watching how people worked lived

[@georgel74]

The engineer was Mr Pat Keating from Ballylooby.. The car, a Ford Corsair..

[@georgel74]

@John J Kelly that describes it perfectly John. 😊

[@dellhell8842]

@John J Kelly My father had a Corsair back then. Don't know about the 2.0L V4 but the 1.7L Essex V4 that was in his was hateful. A 60 degree V4 is inherently out of balance and the balancer shaft to counteract this never worked right. After several engine problems he got rid of it when the gear drive to the distributor failed.

[@dellhell8842]

@John J Kelly Yes it was the 2L version so. It was originally offered with the much less powerful but more reliable 1.5L Kent in-line four cylinder engine in the cortinas. I remember my father seldom if ever used first gear on the four speed column gear shift.

[@michaelkeating7380]

Well spotted on both counts George.

[@CillMhantainSean]

@@dellhell8842 I had the 1.7 V4 column change for a couple of years, ran great and very smooth too, ‘‘twas a big lazy revving lump!

[@christophersimon8339]

This just shows there was always some twat with a clipboard and a car telling you that you can't do your job without actually doing it themselves. It's 2021 and it's still happening

[@grahambamford9073]

He got 95% on his last job and the "twat" said that was "quite" good. He's not checking up on him, but he stops his car, gets out, with official documentation and a pen and checks on him.....???

[@michaelkeating7380]

...you mean keyboard...

[@mike8631]

Yeh, and always some absolute gobshite who thinks the fella with the shovel could do it all himself too. Ah yeh, you can always tell the lads who weren't clever enough to do anything but physical labour, they carry that chip with them till the day they die.

[@seniorelzappo9919]

But now the clipboards outnumber the shovels 3 to 1 ..

[@mike8631]

@@seniorelzappo9919 Because the guys with the clipboards were clever enough to invent machines to do the work faster and with less sick days :)

[@lydialily846]

When wonderful men like those looked after the rds they were in a lot better condition than they are now , esp our secondary roads !

[@punchy1325]

Did them lads not work hard or was it the nurses that worked on the roads

[@lydialily846]

@@punchy1325 Exactly my point about THAT generation !

[@punchy1325]

@Lydia Lily there's been a few after them lily that's worked just as hard again open your eye's I get what your saying about this generation today but its all them nurse's to

[@lydialily846]

@@punchy1325 Ok punchy I get the point ! I’ll NEVER mention NURSES again ,, will you b ok now ?? Or should I ring a doctor for you ??? 🤣🤣👍👍

[@punchy1325]

@Lydia Lily no I prefer nurse's

[@nervesinapattern7261]

Many the breezes that blow in the spring Sweeter the sound that the song thrushes sing. I sighed for a sight that I seldom see now A man in the fields with his Horses & Plough

[@davidhayes5382]

Beautiful word's.

[@BariandHamza]

Went to Ballydaly near Millstreet 1970 to were my Family are from, great people and I loved it there. If there was work I would have moved there....God Bless the Geran and Guerin families

[@johnallen7807]

Today I feel we know the price of everything but the value of nothing.

[@philleeson7835]

A saying I had for my old boss,"penny wise and pound poor"was another we used to say about him

[@russellking9762]

Well spoken sir…..can i use that if that’s ok with you

[@johnallen7807]

@@russellking9762 Yes, of course, it wasn't my original quote anyway but it seemed appropriate.

[@russellking9762]

fair play to ya

[@TheMangoDeluxe]

'prices are going up all the time' - you said it sister

[@rapido2963]

I find that I not only have to dodge the potholes in our crappy roads, but also the repairs as well!

[@freebornjohn2687]

The sound of the horse and trap is wonderful.

[@tadghsmith1457]

He was doing incredibly well to have a contented family on a road workers salary. It would rare to see that now.

[@markmclaughlin3896]

Road workers get more money than office workers in England.If you work for an lrish contractor. As soon as an English contractor takes over they steal your breaks . Then you get work through an agency ..office boys and girls take a cut..then to be self employed ..a pay roll co. charge you 25 quid a week to get paid...

[@georgel74]

I'll bet he had a 'few acres' also..

[@philipodowd227]

Micheal Cleary,my mother grew up on a farm beside house.House corner of farm.I have a vague memory of his Father,Early 60s.They were good people of noble poverty,kept to themselves,few words but friendly.I think my Mother use to talk to his Father abt local history as he wud have been in his 40s during war of independance and civil war. The O'Sullivans lived beside them.I remember Micheal O Sullivan.Heard he died tragically pushbike accident.He was a lovely guy always smiling and singing the black velvet band ,a character.My Mother left for Dublin in 47 to work in G.P.O.I was 10 in 68 and working with my uncle around that area at the time.Their was peace and tranquility in the air back then.I remember ploughing a field with my uncle close by in 68' for John Joe Lonergan and his brother Tom at 10am having plough the headland we came in for breakfast and Tom took a massive heart attack,died.Born1910I can still remember his conversation just before he passed on about old treshin machines and the modern machinery of today.That incident had a dramatic effect on me.I got panic attacks after it of which no one knew anything about at the time.Still get the odd panic attack but had a good life over all and good memories of loughloher,its people,peace and lifestyle.

[@youhavetoagree893]

Appreciate the videos 👍👍

[@natmol1595]

Boy that shovel was awfully sharp❤👍

[@animallover19581]

A long time since I heard someone been called Sir. Says a lot about that man.

[@robwilde855]

Every time you are arrested they call you 'Sir'. Or they should do. Perhaps you're not from Britain?

[@eamonward9036]

Lord rest my mum she said that to say please and thank cost noting to say

[@charlestaylor8566]

Remember when I was about 5 or 6 , we used ride up in the cab of the forestry commission lorries when they were making the forest roads , sometimes 3 off us kids in one truck , not a chance of that happening today . Happy days !

[@johnbarry4562]

Charles Taylor .... get hold of David Cuddy on KZbin !! He'll help you get another and newer memory of those times ... Whole family are decent people

[@charlestaylor8566]

@@johnbarry4562 Interesting guy , but I’m talking about 40 years before , late fifties when I was about five or six , watched trees growing my father planted and was cutting them down in the early 70s , dragging with a horse , loading lorries by hand , hard work . And now the sons off the guy I worked for have probably the biggest outfit in timber harvesting in the country , Treetop Harvesting , agents for Tigercat machines .

[@johnbarry4562]

@@charlestaylor8566 aah so the memory can be activated still .... That's the best outcome that one could wish for ...On a slight tangent ?; There was a local farmer died during the past week ...He was a big strong man who was doing agricultural contracting when few were ... When I was young I developed a sort of fantastical respect for the man ...I cannot get around the fact that he's dead , but as long as his house and farm stay going , his "presence" is alive as far as I'm concerned ....All these people are with us , as long as we allow them to .... Keep the faith

[@anoshya]

My wife’s grandfather would fill the potholes in the 50s and come home drenched in rain and would sit by the fire with steam pouring out of his clothes. Hard working people who lived simply

[@trevormcshane4986]

Great video,, the good old days not like now ,,, ,,,some people just don't want to work,, sad

[@danielosullivan3110]

Grandad used to say"no two go crazy the same way"🤪☘️

[@kellanhills1972]

I used to do work like this in high school and summers. Thank God I went to college. 😅😅

[@johncarroll9986]

Great men at the time

[@philipdee9698]

Oh yeah...this really strikes a chord with me. Wonderful video and really says so much not just about our rural society in1968 but about today also. People today have so much by comparison but are so unhappy despite this. Yes life was hard then...and fifty years before was harder still. Yet for all our material wealth, our social welfare supports and endless demands on government to do more and more, people are actually a lot less happy now. I'm not saying for one minute that Ireland fifty odd years ago was perfect, far from it, but the unbelievable rise in the standard of living has not made people happier. Why is that I wonder? I'm the youngest of 12 and dad was just like the main the video...and mother worked endlessly in the home. There was never any money around, always a couple of weeks behind at the local shop in the village but almost everyone was in the same situation. Bills somehow got paid, we all got jobs and made our own way in life either here or (sadly) abroad, but we never forgot our roots nor the simple dignity of honest parents. They were great men and women.

[@inspectec]

Well said sir. As a country we've lost our way.

[@wilfredwilde9559]

People today just can’t get their heads around the fact that “ nobody had money “ back then .JFK came to limerick and my father’s friends stopped at our house to give him a lift into town to see the motorcade pass through.He told me how much he wanted to go but just had no money to buy his friends back a drink etc so he stayed at home .

[@frankmlchaelglasscock6539]

They where better days but hard days and the people were lovely

[@richardgiles2484]

Very hard times back then. But I think much safer and happier times for most as the world was a nicer place than it is now 🤔

[@8nansky528]

I ADORE READING

[@Mega_vegeta]

I can relate alot to Michael I feel i'm part of a lost generation myself these day.

[@damianmoore8147]

Sadly these people are long gone from our toxic society.

[@Alphae21]

not true

[@philipmcdonagh1094]

The Overseer could be around, sounds like something out of a fantasy film. But nothing changes along comes a manager, and what happens, the work stops.

[@seamusnolan4083]

The old saying goes "an ounce a breeding is worth a ton a feeding

[@danielosullivan3110]

Put that in ur pipe n smoke it

[@noreensharkey16]

impressive machinery for the year 1968

[@cyberzeroday]

Looks like the road in by the golf club and later back out to ballylooby. WELL !!

[@kwaichangcaine8234]

yeah the slash hook and the pick and shovel were the tools of my uncle Teddy working on the counsel back in those very days.

[@mrheck5311]

These days you'd need all kinds of certificates to do that, directed by some civil servants in dublin.

[@charlestaylor8566]

Remember when the council had men do a big round with a bicycle and spade cleaning all the offlets to let the water off the road , now we have legions of council ……well I don’t know what you would call them , but they drive around in newish van and pickups doing bugger all .the council are all always pleading poverty , but it’s how the spend .. sorry waste , squander is better words than spend that is the problem .

[@mikeOnTheChoob]

@@charlestaylor8566 you'd prefer the old days with backs broken from labouring? And the councils didn't plead poverty? Let me try on those rose coloured glasses for a minute.

[@charlestaylor8566]

@@mikeOnTheChoob No they didn’t back then , I’m talking about now , to pay for the legions of useless buggers doing nothing instead of men on the ground , I see every day with the council yard beside where I live , money just squandered , back in those days the workers went straight from there homes to the job they were doing . Now they have to go to the yard and get told what to do , fill as much useless bit of paper , risk assessment crap , and they still make a total balls of everything , and no I don’t have rose coloured glasses , the work was hard , but not near.as hard as some jobs , ie forestry , farm work , building , mines , they were much harder than any council job , apart from the mines I did the rest so I do know what real hard work was .

[@jch2211]

Looks a better way of life than today.

[@vyl4650]

I find the amount of romance and nostalgia in the comments section simply astonishing. Life was simpler back then, thats for sure, but neither easier nor were the people nicer. All those people seem nice in these documentaries but who wouldn't?

[@phillipecook3227]

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be ....

[@russellking9762]

the people were definitely nicer…the shop service was proper and polite for one thing…people behind the counter couldn’t do enough for you…and they knew their product inside and out…at the petrol station you wouldn’t get out of your car..the attendant would put the petrol in for you..top up your oil and wipe down your windscreen..you give him the money and he would bring back your change..thats how it was

[@ClaudioBenassi]

My grandpa did this for a living. He was a sailor before. Should you fight for more? I don’t know. We are all tempted to do so.

[@jimmacmahon1030]

I wonder if Demis went on to become a carpenter like his mother had hoped

[@gilwillia]

Not checking on him, but definitely checking on him. 😂

[@TheLRider]

My Dad was a lengthman back in the 1950s in West Wales. I still have his siccle and long shaft spade. Went through hell and back in Normandy during WWII and farmers used to take the piss, the ones who were safely tucked up on the farm during WWII He'd be out in all weather's and come home soaked to the skin because if he stopped to shelter those same farmers would report him. I hate the btards just as much as my Dad did..

[@burntbacon7995]

My Uncle Christy left his job in Ireland to volunteer in the British Army in 1939 to fight the Nazi. Christy never returned to live in Ireland after World War Two because of his service in the British Army because he would have been an object of hatred.

[@TheLRider]

@@burntbacon7995 I can understand totally. My Dad didn't volunteer and neither did 90% of British Troops. They were all conscripted unlike the romantic crap put out in WWII films etc. My Dad hated Churchill because of the way they were treated during and after the war and that wave of returning soldiers gave rise to the massive landslide General Election victory for a Labour Govt. The Tories of today have whitewashed that piece of history out of people's memories and beliefs.

[@johngilmore6688]

@@burntbacon7995 Oh yes, WW2, DeValera called it, the emergency!!" To EVERYONE else, it was a world war. Many brave Irishmen joined every other English speaking nation on the planet, to fight Hitler, except for DeValera & co's Eire.

[@russellking9762]

Question: i mean no disrespect..but what is a lengthman? i am from New Zealand and i have never heard the term

[@TheLRider]

@@russellking9762 Ha ha, a term that has gone out of fashion!! He had a length of country roads in our locality to look after. Dig/clear roadside ditches, cut and trim the banks and hedges, all with a sickle, pick litter, not that there was much then. Sweep the roads of mud or debris left by the odd storm/ tractor. Just keep the place looking safe, and tidy; a joy to behold. But then he'd keep an eye in the autumn for male salmon coming up stream to mate with a female salmon my dad would have spotted under a bridge over a little stream. He'd go back at night and pull the male out, never the female. That was tea for the next day or two for the family!! He'd sometime go back in a day or two to see if there was another male to be had and so he'd provide a treat for some local poor people and even the local minister 😋😋 He was also a keen environmentalist and would act as a local tourist guide for the odd visitor that woul be driving/walking along his lanes.. We need them back definitely imo..

[@joewilson3575]

The last horse and cart will be a museum piece in ten years eh?

[@michaelb634]

Not in finglas thank god

[@joewilson3575]

@@michaelb634 Must have been only a few years after this film was recorded but they've only been getting more and more common since

[@michaelb634]

@@joewilson3575 it's now a tradition and a pass time but it does still continue. Its unfortunate to see some lads being careless with their horses and carts/traps/sulkys, gives the wrong impression about the 99% who are deeply passionate about it and put in so much work to keep it going.

[@phillipecook3227]

In road building. That's what the commentator was talking about.

[@fordford9133]

When times were beautiful

[@russellking9762]

Exactly…Honesty Respect Hard work Character Loyalty and Contentment…it’s all here in this clip…those are the things that we are missing today..things you can not buy or hold in your hand or even touch….more precious than gold…it’s those things that kept that generation of people and the ones before on track like a compass needle and they lived it and breathed it…they never wavered…what happened to us as a society?

[@kevindenogla783]

Engineer is just passing, proceeds to take out a clipboard and check worksheet and record the work being done.

[@seanohare5488]

He looks useless in what he does compare to the man actually doing work

[@JaggersLips]

Those before us paved the way

[@crappymeal]

we are still digging timber frame tunnels in central London in 2022, no machine yet

[@ukcitizen5341]

the engineer must have good eyesight to see through those glasses

[@charliejlavery]

The shovel at the start wore flat, seen some graft.

[@warwickmalone5808]

He's worn the tip of the shovel away. My old man had one like it.

[@givemeabreak7273]

its all ways a dance with the Irish we are wonderful dancers

[@musheopeaus4125]

"I'm very happy'. 😂😂😂😂 just look at her boat !!!

[@daveh6151]

The council workers were famous for leaning on their shovels..but still decent honest work 👍

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

"Breastfeeding" their shovels was a term I remember... 🙄😂

[@phillipecook3227]

Remember watching Glasgow Corporation council road workers from my window in the 1970s. They worked at a snail's pace. It was clearly something to do with the time allocated.

[@SuperMikado282]

@@peterfitzpatrick7032 Yes, this was the term used in West Cork. I worked for Cork County Council for 25years in the Schull area. Unusually, the only sassenach to have done this. Working with these fellows on the roads was the most enjoyable job I had.

[@eamonward9036]

Happy with what they had people talk about hard times in 1968 and today 2022 we still have hard times 🤔🤔

[@nmatthew7469]

I understand Michael and his wife.

[@disprogreavette8545]

3:28 dodging the road apples

[@anthonygebala1198]

Proper work, not like now people sitting and staring at a stupid screen for hours on end what have we become!

[@noelmaher4633]

"Maybe Michael and his wife are too easily satisfied" not much has changed in IE, know your place..#RTE.

[@sayitloudlynothing5406]

They say they are happy... but good god people, smile a little if you're happy. I need to go see a doctor for some anti depressants after watching this

[@annehebert510]

Lol, they're not American. It is possible to feel happy without having to show your teeth all the time.

[@jamiedoyle7625]

Beautiful simple times, every one nowadays trying to keep up with the jones and shite down on top you , tho we will all go into the same hole

[@mizzyroro]

Chances you say? His son will have education and money and get chances? In 2009 in a hostel un New York city, I met a young lad who was an engineer from Ireland on a 3 month visa looking for work because he couldn't find a job in Ireland. The great Irish migration still continues.

[@MrWhothefoxthat]

i did my stint of dry stone walling for the council over the Woodhead road in the UK, i go across it now 50 years later and thieve been knocked down by cars and trucks, and shit everywhere.

[@davidroman1342]

I thought please hit the clipboard man with shovel. Lmao. Honest hardworking people. That was hard work then. Not like today. They cry today if they work more than a couple hours.👍

[@seanohare5488]

I had the same thought the clipboard guy looked more phoney useless compare to the guy doing real work

[@tomtd]

The dignity of honest work. Not much of that in a call centre.

[@lallyoisin]

As long as everybody knows what they have to do!

[@edwardkennedy9919]

Think we'll be back to the horse and cart soon enough.

[@richardcoleman2456]

Narrated by Brian Cleeve, am I right?

[@michaelkeating7380]

Correct Richard.