The first formal thatching course in Ireland aims to meet demand and save the craft for future generations.
Like many old Irish traditional crafts, the art of thatching is dying out and many people are regretting its passing. People with thatched roofs find it quite difficult to get them repaired or renewed.
The industrial training authority AnCO centre in Galway has recently started a course to teach thatchers. Pat O'Neill, from Sixmilebridge is the tutor, with 25 years thatching experience, having picked up his skills from his father.
The five student thatchers on this the first AnCO thatching course have a replica of a ring-fort as their classroom. The course is taking place at the Craggaunowen museum project near the village of Quin in County Clare.
The rethatching at Craggaunowen could last for up to 20 years.
Frank Treacy, manager at AnCO in the Shannon Limerick region, explains why the thatching course was started.
There has been concern over the past few years that the skills of thatching were not being passed on to a new generation. At the same time, there was a growing demand. This led to the establishment of the first formal thatching course in this country. The participants hail from all over Ireland but primarily have an agricultural background.
People who are close to the land and are not totally dependent on thatching as a livelihood that would be best placed to make use of the skills that we are teaching them.
AnCO cannot say for sure that the course will ensure the skills are passed on, but are reasonably hopeful.
When faced with the skill dying, Frank Treacy thinks AnCO is doing the right thing in taking the speculative chance that there may be demand for the craft in the future.
If we didn't do it we would probably be open to more criticism than if we did do it.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 June 1976. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.
