Schools of thatching needed to save an ancient tradition
Safeguarding the future of the traditional Irish cottage requires investment in the art of thatching as well as financial support towards the high costs of maintaining thatch roofs, according to Senan 'Mac Tomas' Dixon who lives in a thatch cottage outside Clonard that has been in his family for generations.
The mud and clay built house has been on the Dixon family farm for more than 70 years but could be up to 200 years old and while Senan says there are no real written records, the furthest he could go back was that his father's grandmother lived in it.
Senan told how the thatch was long gone off it and at one point it was just used to store grain and tools for the farm but then in 1990s his uncle renovated it and the thatch roof was put back on it.
The house is built in the traditional way of mud and clay with wood in the middle to keep the structure. The back wall had fallen and was rebuilt in blocks but the other three walls are original.
"I moved in in January 2021. It was sitting here on the land and nobody had lived in it for a while. During the pandemic I was let go from my job and decided to work the land and to grow my own food and become self sufficient," said Senan.
He told how their roof is due maintenance and it will cost at least €5,000.
"The expense of maintenance is a big thing. Our roof is straw which doesn't last as long as water reed thatching and requires specialist tools.
"It is due to be done now but I can't afford to do it. It is a great disappointment. It will cost a minimum of €5,000."
Senan has a big interest in local history and in built heritage in general and did a short course with a Wexford based thatcher to learn about more thatching. Senan hopes to do a further course later this year to learn about sparring. Spars are the fixings to secure loose thatch to the roof.
He doesn't believe maintenance grants alone can secure the future of thatch cottages and says that more investment is needed in thatching schools to preserve the art into the future.
"More investment is needed in thatching schools and teaching the trade so that young people can consider it as a viable career option.
"The Irish house with the thatch roof is so iconic and recognised worldwide. We need to do all we can to ensure the future of this important part of our heritage."
Last week, the Meath Chronicle highlighted the financial challenges facing thatch cottage owners both in terms of maintenance but also the spiralling costs of insurance. Aine McGarry, who has spent the last 20 years restoring Trohanny Cottage near Moynalty to its former thatch glory told how the grant towards thatching has not increased since it was introduced over 30 years ago. She is urging the government to support thatch cottage owners and preserve this important part of our heritage before it is too late.
An estimated 20-25 per cent of thatch cottages have been lost in Ireland over the past 20 years and that only about 1,000 cottages still stand today.