Of Mortars and Stone Walls Part 1: Dry stone walling workshop with O’Dwyer Masonry and Anú Heritage

Sat, November 5, 2022

11:00 - 16:00

The Yard, Aghamore Lower Main St, Kilbeggan, Westmeath

O’Dwyer Masonry is a leading restoration company, whose work is deeply rooted in the care, repair and conservation of our built heritage. Based in Multyfarnham, Westmeath the company is co-founded by Neil O’Dwyer and David Corrigan. Disciplined in the craft of Banker Architectural Masonry, Neil and David are graduates of the prestigious, centre of excellence in world heritage, York College where they each spent four years developing their skills under the wings of various master stone masons. With David coming from a long line of stonemasons, prior to attending York, Neil cut this teeth in stone banking at the Jerome O’ Connor Centre, Annascaul on the Dingle Peninsula under Tom Little, with both also completing training at the Gweeodore Training Centre Donegal on stone building construction and preservation. Having worked across the UK and Ireland, Neil and David are considered one of the countries finest stone masons, leading and managing a number of key conversation projects, including those at Chatsworth House, Castle Howard, Caister Church, the Irish Dental Hospital, Adare Manor and Courthouse, Limerick, St Mary’s Church Kilkenny, with the company currently working on Mitchelstown Castle, Cork.

Caroline Gethings is a conversation consultant and founder of Anú Heritage. Passionate about Ireland’s vernacular culture and heritage, Caroline established Anú as a means to create a holistic, community centred approach to conversation, where people sit at the heart of learning how to manage, repair and maintain their local built heritage. Having worked on various projects with O’Dwyer Masonry, Caroline brings her practical know-how, as well as knowledge of the policies and governance of the built environment to any build. Caroline holds a BA (hons) in Culture and Heritage, a P.Grad. Dip in Applied Building Repair and Conservation from Trinity College, Dublin, and is currently part taking in the Professional Development Diploma in Historic Building Conservation and Repair with West Dean College of Arts and Conservation, England.

Two-day (Sat 5 Nov-Sun 6 Nov, 11-16.00) free workshop on dry-stone wall techniques, traditional mix and renders and heritage repair advice

Have you ever thought about restoring an old building, or mending a traditional dry stone wall? Many people have but are not clear on how to approach such heritage builds or how best to solve questions relating to material rules and regulations. Demystifying such processes, join us for this two-day, hands-on workshop with built environment professionals, stonemasons Neil O’Dwyer and David Corrigan (O’Dwyer Masonry) and conservation consultant Caroline Gethings (Anú Heritage).

During this workshop you will learn the basics of dry stone walling, with hands-on training exploring how to maintain and repair your walls. This will be supplemented with tips on traditional lime mortars and renders. Working in this practical manner, Caroline will bring you through the dos and don’ts on starting your conversation project, with clear advice on how to approach projects large and small, with Neil and David providing practical skills on mixes, builds and renders.

Booking and Requirements (what to bring and what is provided):
This workshop is free to attend but space is limited to 15 people.In registering for the event you are committing to taking part on both days, Saturday 5th and Sunday, 6th (11-17.00).

Where will the workshop take place and your health and safety:
To participate in this workshop you need to wear steel toe capped boots and bring your own building gloves and safety glasses. The workshop will take place inside a large warehouse in The Yard, Lower Main St, Aghamore, Kilbeggan, which is across from Kilbeggan Distillery Visitor Centre. Signposts and guides will be present on the day.

The warehouse is open plan with no heating, so we recommend warm clothing and hat, as there will be a certain amount of standing around (chairs and tables will also be provided). We also recommend not to wear loose fitting clothes, watches or jewellery and to bring a notebook, pen and/or pencil for taking notes.

What refreshments are provided:
Teas, coffees, water and snacks on both days will be provided. Lunch will not be provided but there are a number of small restaurants and take-aways in Kilbeggan, where you can get food. We also recommend bringing a packed lunch.

Registration Details:
All materials provided. This is a free workshop but spaces limited to 15 persons.
Registration therefore required via Eventbrite.