Heart to Hearth

In this episode, we spoke with stonemasons Killian and Petra O'Flaherty. We unfortunately had some issues with the recording, so instead please listen to a summary of our chats; we hope to have them on again in the future.  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 wher...

In this episode, we talk to recent graduate Hannah Glass about her time on the All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. 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 ireland@spab.org.uk For more information on...

In this episode, we talk to Irish folklorist Michael Fortune, and designer of the annual Irish Dresser and Folklore Calendar. 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 ireland@spab.org.uk For more informa...

In this episode we talk to Bernie Henry of the Clara Heritage Society.  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 ireland@spab.org.uk For more information on SPAB Ireland: www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ir...

In this episode we talk to Primrose Wilson, trustee and founding Chairman of the Follies Trust. The Follies Trust aims to encourage the appreciation and conservation of Irish follies, to promote traditional construction and building skills, and to encourage knowledge and appreciation of Ireland’s artistic and cultural heritage. If you have a question or would like to give us feedback, or ideas abo...

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 episo...

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 s...

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. I...

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 int...

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 th...

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 cobb...

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 you...

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 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 w...

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...

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 gues...

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 spabireland@gmail.com     For more information on SPAB Ireland: www.spab.org.uk/about-us/spab-ireland     To follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/spabirel...

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 vernacul...

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....

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. Artwo...

In this episode, we chat with Christiaan Corlett. Chris is a historian, writer, and archaeologist with the National Monuments Service. He has written numerous books on a variety of subjects, including medieval settlements, 18th century headstones, and the traditional farmhouses of Co. Wicklow.   In today’s chat, we covered Chris’s background in archaeology and how he became interested in vernacula...

In this episode, we chat with Sinead Hughes. Sinead is a heritage consultant based in Dublin. Among various other projects, she is currently undertaking a thatch survey of Fingal County.     In today's chat,  we talk about Sinead's background, her ongoing thatch survey in Fingal, and the challenges facing owners of thatched buildings in Ireland today.     Hosted by Tríona Byrne. Edited by Deirdre...

In this episode, we chat with PJ McClay. PJ  runs the popular IG page @oulhouse, which documents his experience as he renovates and brings back into use a derelict thatched cottage in Donegal.     In today's chat,  we cover everything from how PJ discovered his interest in vernacular buildings, his experience of conserving and renovating his own cottage, and the challenges and opportunities of con...

**Apologies for the sound quality in this episode ** In this episode, we chat with Feile Butler. Feile is an architect who works in the conservation of vernacular buildings, as well as specialising in natural building materials, particuarly earth and mud wall buildings.   In today's epsiode, we had a lovely chat about the beauty and simplicity of mud and stone vernacular buildings, and how they ar...

In this episode, we chat with Feidhlim Harty. Feidhlim is an environmental consultant based in County Clare.     In today's chat, we look at some sustainable solutions for treating waste water from rural domestic buildings, and chat about Feidhlim’s own experiences renovating a rural vernacular cottage. This episode will be of interest to anyone who is hoping to renovate a vernacular building that...