Loy (spade) facts for kids
A loy is a special type of spade that was used a long time ago in Ireland. It has a long, heavy handle, usually made from ash wood. The blade is narrow and made of steel, and it has a single place for a person's foot to push it into the ground. The word "loy" comes from the Irish word láí, which means "spade." People used the loy for digging and ploughing the land by hand, especially before and during the terrible time known as the Great Famine.
How a Loy is Made
The loy is a narrow spade. Its metal blade is usually about 14 inches (35 cm) long and 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide. The blade is slightly bent. The handle is quite long, usually between 5 and 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) in length. This long handle is typically made from strong ash wood. The blade has one footrest, which means a person could use either their right or left foot to push the spade into the soil.
Digging for Potatoes
The loy was mainly used for growing potatoes. In the 1800s, people often grew potatoes in special raised rows called "potato ridges" or "lazy beds." To make these ridges, farmers would use the loy to lift strips of grass and soil, called "sods," from both sides. They would then turn these sods over so the grassy parts faced each other, forming a raised bed.
Farmers would often spread manure on the ridge before planting. This method of digging was perfect for small farms or on hills where horses couldn't work. It was also used by farmers who couldn't afford horses. Loy digging was still used in some parts of Ireland until the 1960s. This way of farming worked well in Ireland's wet climate because the trenches created by turning the sods helped drain water away. It also allowed people to grow potatoes in wet boggy areas and on mountain slopes where other farming methods were impossible.
Other Uses and Modern Day
Besides digging and making ridges for potatoes, the loy was also used for harvesting potatoes and digging up turf (a type of fuel). Today, loy digging is still a popular activity in Ireland. There is even a national Loy Digging Association! Loy digging competitions are an important part of the annual National Ploughing Championships, where people show off their skills with this traditional tool.
