What is "rundale"

n. A system of land tenure in which farmland is divided into irregular strips and allocated to tenants in rotation; a strip of such land

The rundale system (apparently from to run and dale, valley, originally something separated off, cf. deal) was a form of occupation of land in Ireland, somewhat resembling the English common field system. The land is divided into discontinuous plots, and cultivated and occupied by a number of tenants to whom it is leased jointly. The system was common in Ireland, especially in the western counties. In Scotland, where the system also existed, it was termed run rig (from run, and rig or ridge).