Leitrim-Roscommon

What was life like in Ballinamore in 1900?

My grandfather James Francis Fox was born in Ballinamore in 1891. He was the 9th of 12 children born to Patrick Fox and Mary McGovern. I'm trying to get an understanding of what his life might have been like before he immigrated to the United States in 1911.

What school he would have gone to? What would it have been like? Was it a small school where several grades might have been in the same classroom? At what age would one typically enter school and at what age would one stop going to school?

What would youngsters and teenagers do done for fun?

My great grandfather Patrick Fox was a cooper. What is a cooper and would it be likely that my grandfather James Fox, would have helped his father after school in this trade?

Any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jim

What is a cooper and would it be likely that my grandfather James Fox, would have helped his father after school in this trade

A cooper made barrels, your grandfather probably did help his father. I went to secondary school in Ballinamore, I'm from 5 miles outside the town so traveled by bus, the bus driver was from Ballinamore his name was John Fox.