Heart to Hearth

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.

Shownotes

John's favourite vernacular building : Outhouses

Rory's favourite vernacular building : A thatched cottage

Fergal's favourite vernacular buildings : Whitestown Clachan, Co. louth

Contact details

John Plunkett :

Phone contact number given at end of podcast

Rory Galligan: Rock Road Stone Company Ltd. Moynalty, Meath. 

LinkedIn 

National Guild article  

Building Ireland Magazine article  

Fergal McGirl :

fmgarchitects.ie

[email protected]

LinkedIn

GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme

Evaluation of Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme - 2022

Agriland .ie article : Old ways and grant aid restores cobbled yard on Carnaross Farm 

Rothe House Kilkenny 

ROI Government Conservation Advice Series - Paving : The Conservation of Historic Ground Surfaces 

Cobble Repairs - Robin Russell, Historic Churches 2017 

Traditional Buildings on Irish Farms, 2005, ROI Heritage Council

Reusing Farm Buildings : A Kildare Perspective

Laura Bowen and Nicki Matthews

DSWAI  : Dry Stone Walling Association of Ireland 

https://www.facebook.com/dswai.ie

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

Shownotes

Toby's favourite building type: Angel Roofs

Toby's contact details

https://www.instagram.com/slaterconservation/

https://www.slaterconservation.co.uk/

Maldon conservation award - fire damaged Kings Inn 

Maldon Conservation award -  De Laches, Cold Norton

SPAB Ireland Working Party Site 2023

Charlecote Mill, Warwickshire

Kibworth Harcourt Mill Project by SPAB

Mills and Millers of Ireland - The Society for the Preservation of Ancient and Traditional Irish Mills

Skerries mills 

Offaly County Council : An Industrial Heritage Survey  by Fred Hammond 2009 

Part 1

Part 2

ROI Government advice series : A Guide to the Repair of Historic Roofs

ROI Government advice series : A Guide to the Repair of Historic Windows

Historic England, Practical Building Conservation : Timber 

SPAB advice : Timber frame repair 

SPAB advice : Timber floors

SPAB advice: Timber Stairs

SPAB advice : Timber Floor Structures 

SPAB advice : Timber Windows 

SPAB advice : Timber Wall paneling

In this episode we talk to Tom Little, stone worker and letter carver who also designs and runs 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.

SHOWNOTES

Favourite Building - his own house: a two storey stone labourers cottage built around  1900. 

Tom's contact details : [email protected] / [email protected]

Kerry College Apprenticeship Programme

OPW Apprenticeship Programme 

Drystone Walling Association of Ireland

Website

Facebook

Féile na gCloch (Festival of Stone) Inis Oirr, 14th to 17th September 2023 

Galway Cathedral : Cathedral of Our Lady into Heaven and St Nicholas
 

Micheal Biggs biography

1973 video of sculptor Michael Biggs on the dying craft of stone carving and how his stonework for a Dún Laoghaire church gives it new life.
 

Oisin O Kelly biography 

RTE archives on Oisín Kelly retrospective
 

Heart to Hearth - In conversation with Tom Pollard

Pat McAfee  books

Stone Buildings: Conservation. Restoration. History

Irish Stone Walls: History, Building, Conservation

Killian O’Flaherty

Ballyknockan : A Wicklow Stonecutters village 

ROI Government built heritage advice series - Conservation and repair of masonry ruins

SPAB Advice : Stone walls

SPAB Advice: Stone Floors

SPAB Technical Advice Note : The Need for Old Buildings to 'Breathe'
 

SPAB Advice : Crafts

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.

Shownotes

Jimmy’s favourite vernacular building : a mud walled building

ROI Government Advice Series - A guide to the repair of thatched roofs

NIAH List of Thatchers and Thatch Suppliers in Ireland

The Heritage Council of Ireland : Useful information for Thatched Property Owners

Ballygarran Repair Blog  

Ballygarran NIAH Building of the Month post

Ballygarran farmhouse, Co Wexford - Heritage Council Report

2005 Report on the Present and Future Protection of Thatched Structures in Ireland Volume 1: The Action Plan  

2005 Report on the Present and Future Protection of Thatched Structures in Ireland Volume 2: Supporting Information 

2022 ROI Government Vernacular Strategy - A Living Tradition : A Strategy to enhance the Understanding, Minding and Handing on of our Built Vernacular Heritage.

ROI Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme 

ROI Thatching Grant 

ROI Historic Structures Fund

ROI Built Heritage Investment Fund 

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.  

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.

Shownotes

Marianne's ideal house : Kelmscourt manor, Gloucestershire (retreat of SPAB founder William Morris) 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE :

Conference - Through the Looking Glass : A Future for Historic Windows

Old House Eco Handbook 

ROI Government Vernacular Strategy - A Living Tradition : A Strategy to enhance the Understanding, Minding and Handing on of our Built Vernacular Heritage.

ROI Government Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant

ROI Government Pilot Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses

ROI Government Advice Series : A guide to the Repair of Historic Windows

A Legacy of Light : A History of Irish Windows by Nessa Roche

SPAB Technical Advice Notes : Our free-to-download publications include an expanding suite of Technical Advice Notes aimed at providing authoritative and practical references for those involved with caring for and repairing old buildings.

SPAB Technical Advice Note : Repair of Wood Windows

Historic England : Traditional Windows, Their Care, Repair and Upgrading

SPAB Technical Advice Note : Caring for Old Floors 

SPAB Technical Advice Note : Control of Dampness

In today’s episode we chat to Moses Jenkins, the Senior Technical Officer at Historic Environment Scotland. We chat about some of the key considerations needed when planning to ‘retrofit’ a traditional building as well as the appropriateness and success of different materials and products in traditional buildings.

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

____________________________________________

Moses’ favourite vernacular building : Flatfields, Perthshire

Moses’ contact details : 

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/moses-jenkins-299a4925

Historic Environment Scotland website:

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Refurbishment Case Study 22 : Downie’s Cottage, Braemar

Technical Paper 24 : HES Refurbishment Case Studies : Review of Energy Efficiency Projects

Refurbishment Case Study 8 : Garden Bothy, Cumnock

Short Guide : Traditional Scottish Brickwork : Short Guide 7

SPAB Advice : Energy Efficiency in Old Buildings

SPAB Briefing : Energy Efficiency in Old Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland : Guide to Energy Retrofit of Traditional Buildings

ROI Government Vernacular Strategy - A Living Tradition : A Strategy to enhance the Understanding, Minding and Handing on of our Built Vernacular Heritage.

ROI Government Advice Series : Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings

Deep Energy Renovation of Traditional Buildings Addressing Knowledge Gaps and Skills Training in Ireland - by Caroline Engel Purcell

University College Dublin Traditional Building Materials Research group : Building in a Climate Emergency Group

SPAB Technical Advice Notes : Our free-to-download publications include an expanding suite of Technical Advice Notes aimed at providing authoritative and practical references for those involved with caring for and repairing old buildings.

SPAB Technical Advice Note : Repair of Wood Windows

SPAB Technical Advice Note : Caring for Old Floors 

SPAB Technical Advice Note : Control of Dampness

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.

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.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

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

In this episode, we chat with three of the 2022 SPAB Scholars and Fellows, Sinéad Scullion, Serena Gildea and David McFerran. Sinead is an architect from Dublin, Serena is an engineer from Donegal, and David is a joiner from Down.

In today’s episode, we chatted about their experiences and travels in the UK and Ireland as part of the Scholarship and Fellowship programmes, as well as some vernacular highlights.  

Hosted by Tríona Byrne.

Edited by Deirdre Keeley.

Artwork by Róisín Beirne.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

Generously supported by the Heritage Council as part of their Heritage Capacity Fund 2022.

If you have a question or feedback on the series, we’d love to hear from you so please get in touch by emailing us at [email protected]. For more information on SPAB Ireland visit www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland.

You can follow our social media @SPABIreland on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/spabireland, Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/spabireland and Twitter - https://twitter.com/SPABIreland and you can also check our website https://www.spab.org.uk/members/regional-groups/spab-ireland.

Subscribe, enjoy and please leave a review!  

SPAB Scholarship https://www.spab.org.uk/learning/scholarship  

SPAB Fellowship https://www.spab.org.uk/learning/fellowship  

Blog post about the SPAB Scholars and Fellows’ visit to Ireland

https://www.spab.org.uk/news/spab-scholars-ireland-close-home-long-road-ahead

All island MOU on vernacular heritage https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/69870-all-island-commitment-to-irelands-vernacular-heritage-established-at-signing-of-north-south-agreement-on-vernacular-heritage

Scutcher’s Cottage, Donegal https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/newmills-corn-and-flax-mills/

Short interview with Alex Gibbons, former SPAB Fellow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhbztVz6cMU

In this episode, we chat with Shirley Clerkin. Shirley is the heritage officer for County Monaghan

In today’s chat, we talked about what Shirley's job as heritage officer involves, the beautiful built and natural heritage of Monaghan, and the unnecessary demolition of our built heritage.  

Hosted by Tríona Byrne.

Edited by Deirdre Keeley.

Artwork by Róisín Beirne.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

Generously supported by the Heritage Council as part of their Heritage Capacity Fund 2022.

If you have a question or feedback on the series, we’d love to hear from you so please get in touch by emailing us at [email protected]. For more information on SPAB Ireland visit www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland.

You can follow our social media @SPABIreland on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/spabireland, Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/spabireland and Twitter - https://twitter.com/SPABIreland and you can also check our website https://www.spab.org.uk/members/regional-groups/spab-ireland.

Subscribe, enjoy and please leave a review!  

Shirley's email address: [email protected]  

https://monaghan.ie/heritage/

In this episode, we chat with Edel Barry. Edel is an archaeologist based in County Clare, working for a built heritage collective.  

In today’s chat, we covered Edel's work with the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, her experiences of encountering resistance to conservation of old buildings, and how to address this resistance.

Hosted by Tríona Byrne.

Edited by Deirdre Keeley.

Artwork by Róisín Beirne.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

Generously supported by the Heritage Council as part of their Heritage Capacity Fund 2022.

If you have a question or feedback on the series, we’d love to hear from you so please get in touch by emailing us at [email protected]. For more information on SPAB Ireland visit www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland.

You can follow our social media @SPABIreland on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/spabireland, Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/spabireland and Twitter - https://twitter.com/SPABIreland and you can also check our website https://www.spab.org.uk/members/regional-groups/spab-ireland.

Subscribe, enjoy and please leave a review!  

NIAH website: https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/  

Edel’s email: [email protected]