Photos by Pat Shortall
The country’s first formal thatching course in fifteen years, which started in January in Co. Kilkenny, has highlighted significant public interest in keeping the ancient Irish skill of thatching alive. This full-time introductory course, which has been developed and run by Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) in partnership with the Heritage Council, is designed for individuals wishing to pursue a career as a thatcher in Ireland.
It is the first of its kind in Ireland since the last FÁS course was run in 2009 and is a first step in addressing the decreasing number of thatchers in Ireland. There was huge interest in the course and all places were filled quickly, which demonstrates the demand for traditional skills training in Ireland. The 14 aspiring thatchers on the course are from across the country, with many having relocated to Kilkenny in order to do the course.
The course is being delivered in-person based primarily in Kilkenny over a period of 42 weeks by expert trainer and thatcher, Brian Simpson. The course will include a 6-week work placement with an experienced thatcher.
Although the thatched house has become symbolic of rural Ireland, the traditional skill is at a critical point in this country, with a huge shortage of thatchers to look after these vernacular and inherently sustainable buildings. The skill of thatching was historically passed down within a family, from one generation to the next – something which no longer tends to happen. Thatching, however, is a reasonably steady full-time job as thatch material must be replaced periodically. Due to the declining number of thatchers and the increase in availability of grant funding for thatch buildings, thatching remains a viable career for those willing to upskill.
On completion of this course, it is hoped that there will be sufficient interest from the course graduates to enable a second phase of the course to take place, building on the basic skills covered in this course to take in more regional styles and materials. For instance, rope thatching (where thatch materials are held in place via ropes fixed to a building’s walls, rather than its roof) was once commonplace along the Atlantic coast of Ireland but the skill is now in critical danger of being lost, unless a new generation of thatchers upskill in this vernacular method.
Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan, said “It was very satisfying to see the overwhelming public interest in this course and it highlights a growing recognition of the importance of safeguarding Ireland’s traditional skills. The enthusiasm from participants is a clear sign that there is a real appetite to learn and carry these ancient crafts forward to the next generation. This response reinforces our commitment to expanding opportunities not just for thatching but for other vital heritage skills as well, ensuring they remain a living part of our cultural landscape.”
Director of Further Education and Training at KCETB, Martha Bolger added
“KCETB is thrilled to be partnering with the Heritage Council to deliver innovative training in thatching skills, now two months into the programme. We are delighted with the fantastic interest we’ve received and the early success we’re seeing. Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand our focus on bespoke training in conservation and retrofitting skills as we continue to roll out the FET College of The Future vision for Kilkenny and Carlow. The potential of this course is incredibly exciting, as it highlights and preserves the diverse and vernacular heritage of Kilkenny and beyond.”
