In this episode we continue our conversation with Bob Clark, director and curator of the unique Township of Auchindrain in Scotland. We delve into the history of the site and its evolution through the centuries up to modern days. We then look at what can be done to preserve and transmit its memory to future generations

This conversation with Bob ended up being a bit longer than our usual episode, so we've decided to split the conversation into two parts.

In this episode we talk to Bob Clark, director and curator of the unique Township of Auchindrain in Scotland. We delve into the history of the site and its evolution through the centuries up to modern days. We then look at what can be done to preserve and transmit its memory to future generations

This conversation with Bob ended up being a bit longer than our usual episode, so we've decided to split the conversation into two parts.

We talk to County Galway Community Archaeologist Bernie Doherty, Artist Shem Caulfield and retired Community Archaeologist Christy Cunniffe about their involvement in the the Galway Forged Gate Project, particularly getting into details about the artistic flourishes of vernacular blacksmiths, iron crosses and iconography as well as touching on the history of metalworking and smelting in Ireland.

We talk to County Galway Heritage Officer Marie Mannion and Emma Laffey of Skehana & District Heritage Group about the Galway Forged Gates Project, a wonderful project that skillfully reveals the connection between our tangible physical heritage and the intangible traditions, skills, stories and local histories they possess. We learn about the importance of recording our heritage (tangible and intangible) before it is lost and how a packet of biccies can go a long way when talking to our older generations to record their local knowledge.

We talk to Rachel McKenna, the architectural Conservation Officer for Co. Offaly about her book “Traditional Architecture in Offaly” and get a wonderful insight into the vernacular traditions of the county and the outcome of many years of research, work and conversations with owners. We learn about the importance of recording memories and traditions, and the involvement of the County Council in the process.

In today's episode we talk to John Plunkett, the eldest son of the Plunkett family who has taken an interest in restoring the family farm, Rory Galligan, director of Rock Road Stone Company in Moynalty, Co. Meath and Fergal McGirl, a Conservation architect based in Dublin, with almost 30 years of experience. We chat to them about how together they carried out a project to restore the Plunkett cobbled farmyard in Co.Meath. We learn about the importance of proper on-site research when carrying out a restoration project and the untold value of regular maintenance of vernacular buildings along with maintaining the traditional use of vernacular farm buildings and structures.

If you have a question or would like to give us feedback, or ideas about future guests or topics, we’d love to hear from you so please give us a review and leave a comment wherever you get your podcasts, or get in touch by emailing us at [email protected]

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland

To follow us on social media:

www.instagram.com/spabireland

www.twitter.com/spabireland

www.facebook.com/spabireland

Hosted by Róisín Beirne and Livia Artibani

Edited by Graeme Baldwin

Reviewed by Tríona Byrne, Shona O’Keefe, Gissella Renolfi & Róisín Beirne. 

Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Capacity Fund 2023.

In this episode talk to carpenter Toby Slater about his time as an SPAB Millwright Fellow in 2022 and learn about the challenges and solutions he works through in the conservation of historic timberwork.

If you have a question or would like to give us feedback, or ideas about future guests or topics, we’d love to hear from you so please give us a review and leave a comment wherever you get your podcasts, or get in touch by emailing us at [email protected]

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland

To follow us on social media:

www.instagram.com/spabireland

www.twitter.com/spabireland

www.facebook.com/spabireland

Hosted by Róisín Beirne and Livia Artibani

Edited by Graeme Baldwin

Reviewed by Tríona Byrne, Shona O’Keefe, Gissella Renolfi & Róisín Beirne.

Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Capacity Fund 2023.

In this episode we talk to Tom Little, stone worker and letter carver who also designs and rungs the Stone Cutting and Stone Masonry Apprenticeship programme at the Kerry College of Further Education and Training. He tells us about the decline and evolution of Irish stone working from the 1960’s to now, where he’s seeing the beginning of a new ‘stone renaissance’ as the craft is better appreciated, in higher demand and is taken up by new generations of passionate and creative workers.

Tom would like to acknowledge the vital role SOLAS and the Office of Public Works have played in making the Stonecutting & Stonemasonry Apprenticeship program a reality.

In particular, the OPW's continued support of the program has helped ensure the future of this timeless craft for future generations.

If you're interested in learning more about a future in stoneworking check out the apprenticeship programmes run by Kerry College of Further Education and the OPW shared in our shownotes.

If you have a question or would like to give us feedback, or ideas about future guests or topics, we’d love to hear from you so please give us a review and leave a comment wherever you get your podcasts, or get in touch by emailing us at [email protected]

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland

To follow us on social media:

www.instagram.com/spabireland

www.twitter.com/spabireland

www.facebook.com/spabireland

Hosted by Róisín Beirne and Livia Artibani

Edited by Graeme Baldwin

Reviewed by Tríona Byrne, Shona O’Keefe, Gissella Renolfi & Róisín Beirne.

Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Capacity Fund 2023.

In this episode we talk to Jimmy Lenehan, a Kilkenny based thatcher working in reed and straw since 1993, about some of the archaeology and traditions of thatched roofs in Ireland, the historical context, longevity and value of different thatching materials as well as getting into some discussions about growing and harvesting quality thatching supplies here in Ireland.

If you have a question or would like to give us feedback, or ideas about future guests or topics, we’d love to hear from you so please give us a review and leave a comment wherever you get your podcasts, or get in touch by emailing us at [email protected]

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland

To follow us on social media:

www.instagram.com/spabireland

www.twitter.com/spabireland

www.facebook.com/spabireland

Hosted by Róisín Beirne and Livia Artibani

Edited by Graeme Baldwin

Reviewed by Tríona Byrne, Shona O’Keefe, Gissella Renolfi & Róisín Beirne.

Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Capacity Fund 2023.

We talk to Marianne Suhr, conservation building surveyor and co-author of the 'Old House Eco Handbook' to get some advice about sensitive interventions for contemporary living in traditional buildings that still retain the character of your old building. We get into dew points, insulating plasters, underfloor heating, secondary glazing, appropriate insulation and some of the ‘quick wins’ that can be carried out on traditional buildings.