Mystery Object

Quern Stone

This stone tool was used extensively during the mid the late medieval era from about 1000 to 1600 AD. Grain was poured into the top of the smaller stone and was turned by using a wooden handle. The grain was then crushed between the two stones and what came out at the bottom through a small opening was a type of flour, which was used to make bread.

Early Vacuum Cleaner

This early model, which dates to 1913 was called the "Reeves Pneumatic Broom" and was operated by pumping the wooden handle manually to create suction at the other end.

Medical Devise used in the treatment of TB

This strange looking box was used to give a patient suffering from TB tubercular relief. This was done by connecting the tube to the inside of the lung through the windpipe and deliberately collapsing the lung, this gave the sufferer some relief from the pain as well supporting their breathing. It was quite a common implement during the 1940's and 50's when Ireland was in the grip of the TB epidemic.

The knuckleduster

This was used in many fights over land during the agrarian agitation of the late 1800's.

The Thumbscrew

This was a rather nasty medieval torture instrument used to extract information for people. The unfortunate person had their thumb placed in the space and pressure was continually applied until the person talked or the bone in the thumb broke

The Bottle

The bottle originally held carbonated water and was a design patented in the early 1900's. The reason that it was kept this shape was that the liquid was always be in contact with the cork and so pressure could be released. It had been found that due to the porous nature of the cork, pressure was continually released and thus the water became flat, with this style, the water stayed fizzy for longer.