A workshop on dry stone walling will take place in Inis Oírr next month.
The weekend workshop, organised by the Galway County Council under the Galway County Heritage Plan, will include talks on the place of stone walls in the cultural landscape in Ireland and further afield. Participants will also build a traditional Aran stone wall under the direction of stonemason Patrick McAfee.
The course will take place from Friday September 23 to Sunday September 25.
Participants are required to book their own travel and accommodation on the island, and are advised to bring suitable clothing including sturdy shoes and work gloves.
The course is aimed at stone wallers, farmers, property owners, architects, builders, craftspeople, archaeologists, local authority staff, Rural Social Scheme participants, FÁS employees, local history enthusiasts, REPS planners, and anyone with an interest in stone walls.
Events during the weekend include a talk on preserving cultural landscapes in the Lake District by Gavin Rose of the UK’s National Trust. Scottish dry stone waller and master craftsman Nick Aitken will compare the limestone walls of Kentucky, northwest Scotland, and Mallorca. There will also be a heritage walk of Inis Oírr, allowing participants to view the different types of traditional dry stone walls on the island.
For further information contact Marie Mannion, heritage officer, Galway County Council, at (091 ) 509198, email [email protected], or Gráinne Smyth, forward planning, Galway County Council, phone (091 ) 509121, email [email protected]
