The word meitheal describes the old Irish tradition where people in rural communities gathered together on a neighbour’s farm to help save the hay or some other crop. Each person would help their neighbour who would in turn reciprocate. They acted as a team and everybody benefited in some way. This built up strong friendships and respect among those involved in the meitheal.
During US Civil War there was a huge boom in flax production in Ireland as cotton supplies wee cut off.
Clothiers, Flax, Linen, Textiles, Weaving, West Cork
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u0vIz1nxG34pJua7qC7jtTCKWLjwVY81jSl0usPdojk/edit
West Cork History 