Heart to Hearth SPAB Ireland

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.



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

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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.