Heart to Hearth

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Hosted by Livia Artibani

Edited by Graeme Baldwin

Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Organisations Support Fund 2024.

In conversation with Hannah Glass

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we talk to recent graduate Hannah Glass about her time on the All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme.

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

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Hosted by Livia Artibani

Edited by Graeme Baldwin

Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Organisations Support Fund 2024.

In conversation with Michael Fortune

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Fri, 4 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we talk to Irish folklorist Michael Fortune, and designer of the annual Irish Dresser and Folklore Calendar.

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

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Hosted by Livia Artibani

Edited by Graeme Baldwin

Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Organisations Support Fund 2024.

In conversation with Bernie Henry

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode we talk to Bernie Henry of the Clara Heritage Society.

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

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Hosted by Livia Artibani

Edited by Graeme Baldwin

Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Organisations Support Fund 2024.

In Conversation with Primrose Wilson

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

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.

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

To follow us on social media:

Hosted by Livia Artibani

Edited by Graeme Baldwin

Artwork by Róisín Beirne and Gissella Renolfi.

Theme music by Cillian Byrne.

Generously supported by the Heritage Council under their Heritage Organisations Support Fund 2024.

In conversation with Bob Clark - Part 2

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000

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.

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

To follow us on social media:

https://www.auchindrain.org.uk/

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

Bob's favourite vernacular building : Stoners Building (Building H)

Info@auchindrain.co.uk

Skara Bray Neolithic Houses, Orkney

In conversation with Bob Clark - Part 1

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000

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.

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

To follow us on social media:

https://www.auchindrain.org.uk/

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

info@auchindrain.co.uk

Fidelma Mullane 2019 - Croiceann cruaidh féarmhar an talaimh : a material culture of the skin of the earth - the example of roofing with sod parings in Ireland

In conversation with Shem Caulfield, Bernie Doherty & Christy Cunniffe

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Mon, 9 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000

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.

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

To follow us on social media:

https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/content/files/Wrought-Iron-Gates-S-Caulfield.pdf

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.

https://roaringwaterjournal.com/tag/shem-caulfield/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pKA_-rW3-k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCLOYKymjH4&t=1s

Videos : https://heritage.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/topics/galway-forged-gates-project/gkmedia-videos

Furnace Festival : https://www.furnacefestival.ie/

https://field-monuments.galwaycommunityheritage.org/

https://www.instagram.com/galwaycommunityarchaeology/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/archaeology_gc?s=20

https://www.facebook.com/GalwayCommunityArchaeology/

g.c.archaeology@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/christy.cunniffe

https://twitter.com/ChristyCunniffe

TG4 tv station : https://www.tg4.ie/ga/

Manchan Magan TG4 : https://www.manchan.com/

In conversation with Marie Mannion & Emma Laffey

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Mon, 2 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000

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.

Project Website: https://heritage.galwaycommunityheritage.org/content/category/topics/galway-forged-gates-project

Marie Mannion: mmannion@galwaycoco.ie

Galway Heritage Office website: https://heritage.galwaycommunityheritage.org/

Emma Laffey: Mad About Heritage - Emma Laffey

https://www.youtube.com/@user-uh7uh9uo8v

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075727884894

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

To follow us on social media:

https://www.offalyhistory.com/shop/books/traditional-architecture-in-offaly-history-materials-and-furniture-1800-to-present-day

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 conversation with Rachel McKenna

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +0000

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.

Traditional Architecture in Offaly: History, Materials and Furniture 1800 to Present Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ufd70p-_HU

County Offaly Conservation of Built Heritage

https://www.offaly.ie/c/conservation-of-built-heritage/

Carrigeen Farmhouse

https://offalylibrariesblog.wordpress.com/2018/08/30/carrigeen-farmhouse-offalys-hidden-heritage/

Pilot Conservation Advice Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses

https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/260179/669f8755-697a-42a8-bff0-fa57bbd2e8c5.pdf#page=null

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

To follow us on social media:

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.

In conversation with John Plunkett, Rory Galligan & Fergal McGirl

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +0000

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.

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

To follow us on social media:

Building Ireland Magazine article

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.

National Guild article

Fergal McGirl :

fmgarchitects.ie

info@fmgarchitects.ie

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 conversation with Toby Slater

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +0000

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.

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

To follow us on social media:

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

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.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 conversation with Tom Little

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Mon, 4 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +0000

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.

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 : tomlittle@kerrycollege.ie / tomlittlestonecarving@hotmail.com

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 conversation with Jimmy Lenehan

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 08:00:00 +0000

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.

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

To follow us on social media:

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

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

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

In conversation with Marianne Suhr

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 08:00:00 +0000

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.

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

To follow us on social media:

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

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 :

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 conversation with Moses Jenkins

spabireland@gmail.com (SPAB Ireland) — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 08:30:00 +0000

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.

For more information on SPAB Ireland:

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