County Donegal Heritage Office, Donegal County Council in association with the County Donegal Heritage Forum, The Heritage Council & The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland presents:
Dry-Stone Walls Seminar
Halla Mhuire, Gleann Cholm Cille / Glencolmcille, County Donegal, Saturday, June 20, 2015
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The aims of the free seminar are to:
raise awareness of dry-stone wall types and methods of construction;
- disseminate information on regional variations of dry-stone wall types, geology and historical field patterns;
- promote best practice in the management of dry-stone walls and engage people in their conservation; and
- convey their cultural heritage significance.
Guest speakers at the free seminar will include:
- Dr. Kirstin Lemon, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland who will outline the geological history of CountyDonegal and its rock types;
- Dr. Jonathan Bell, agricultural historian, folklorist and author, who will discuss the farming, historical landownership and settlement patterns that contributed to the emergence of dry-stone walls in the landscape;
Mary Laheen, University College Dublin who will give a presentation on the dry-stone walls on the Aran Islands and in South Carlow;
- Patrick McAfee, stonemason and author of ‘Irish Stone Walls’, who will discuss the dry-stone walls, their features, recording and conservation; and
- Dr. Joanne Curran, Consarc Design, who will provide an introduction to the survey of dry-stone wall types in CountyDonegal.
The free seminar will include an open questions-and-answers session with the guest speakers just before lunch. In the afternoon, participants will have the opportunity to view demonstrations of traditional skills such as dry-stone walling, stone carving, letter cutting and traditional stone cutting taking place as part of the Tír Chonaill Stone Festival organised by the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland. If you would like to participate, please wear protective footwear. Gloves and goggles will be provided. Please note that places are limited.
Also in the afternoon, a Rock Detectives Club for children (aged 4 to 12 years of age) will be facilitated by Dr. Kirstin Lemon, Geological Survey of Northern Ireland and Úna Collier, Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark (2 p.m.). Children should wear suitable outdoor clothing and bring a snack. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Places are limited to 20 children.
The seminar is free and open to everyone but places are limited so early booking is strongly advised. If you would like to book a place at the Dry Stone Walls Seminar & Demonstration and/or the Rock Detectives Club, contact the Donegal County Museum on (074) 912 4613 or by e-mail at: museum@donegalcoco.ie
The free seminar is an action of the County Donegal Heritage Plan and is funded by Donegal County Council and The Heritage Council.
Dry-Stone Walls Seminar Brochure (2015)
