In the past, many old and historically valuable items, at one time part of everyday life in rural Ireland, were either thrown out, lost or snapped up for next to nothing by outside dealers, quick to realise the true value of such antiquities. Any items that were saved invariably ended up behind glass as museum pieces, where members of the public could look - but not touch or feel.

Since the late 1970's, Glenfin's very own Michael Gallagher has devoted much of his spare time and energy to collecting folklore and relics of a bygone era, thereby preserving and bringing to life many memories of a time that will never come again.

Based at Cloghan Post Office, Michael has been Glenfin's postman for many years, delivering the mail to a widespread area, which includes part of Iniskeel Parish, the Croaghs (Na Cruacha Gorma) and all of Glenfin Parish south of the River Finn - areas steeped in tradition, music and myth. Conversing with the older generation, often in the native Gaelige tongue, Michael has amassed a wealth of knowledge from the past, much of which would otherwise be lost. Equally important is his collection of many old and well used artefacts, which he now displays at Biddy and Joe's Cottage, beside his home in Lower Galwolie, Cloghan...free for all to see and enjoy.

Michael believes in carrying on the old traditions, and giving people a glimpse of how our ancestors used to live - and this he has done - without the help of any government or state funding.

This cozy little one-roomed cottage is furnished in the traditional style, with an open hearth, fire crane, griddle irons, bastable, iron crocks...in short, everything that was once necessary for heating the home and cooking meals for the large families of the time. One of the most interesting pieces on show is a small three-legged stool, fashioned from bog-oak, and undoubtedly ancient.

Visitors to the Ireland of today - and indeed, our own younger generation - would find it hard to believe just how difficult life was in the not too distant past...or how simple!

In this age of technology, fast cars, electricity, piped water, labour-saving devices and flushing toilets, who could imagine that half a century ago, these things were mostly unheard of in rural Ireland?