Friday 16 August - Sunday 18 August

Join us to help repair this historic mill site and learn traditional building craft skills along the way, – including cob building, timber carving and traditional glazing repairs.

Our friendly Working Parties are a great space to learn about building conservation, whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned professional.

Owners Katarina McNabb (architect) and Christioher Liu (ecologist) rescued this mill site in 2022 with the intention of bringing it back to use. We’re delighted to return to this wonderful site with an expanded programme in 2024 after our award-winning Working Party here in 2023.

This year, participants will help with the construction of the plant room which will serve the site, using the unique approach of cob construction. Our carpentry workshops will continue, templating new cogs from the existing mill wheel which will be used to repair the mill wheel, and our glazing workshops will help to develop practical skills which can be implemented throughout the site.

The campsite is open from 6pm on Thursday 15 August, with the main demonstration days on Friday and Saturday, The event ends at 2pm on Sunday 18 August.

You will come away with a taster of a wide selection of traditional building craft skills including:

\- Carpentry skills
\- Cob construction
\- Glazing repair and maintenance techniques

You will also learn more about the ecological and biodiversity approaches which have been implemented at Rothaí Mill by our wonderful hosts.
Tutors
Brian Tobin ‘Lime Master’ is an experienced traditional lime plasterer with many years’ experience in the repair and renewal of cob construction, traditional lime plasters, renders and decorative work.

David McFerran is an experienced carpenter and joiner with an in-depth knowledge of the site, having carried out conservation works at Rothaí Mill over the past year. He is a 2022 SPAB Fellow and a member of the SPAB Ireland Committee.

Evan Connon of Connon Studios Ltd is a stained-glass artist specialising in both contemporary stained-glass design, and the conservation and restoration of stained glass. Evan is a member of the SPAB Ireland Committee.

Bursaries
We have four bursary places available, thanks to funding from the Heritage Council under the Heritage Organisation Support Fund 2024. Each bursary covers the attendance fee and include a subsistence and travel allowance of up to €250.

These bursaries are open to all; but priority will be given to students, people who are unemployed or those needing financial assistance to support their attendance at the Working Party.

If you are interested in applying for a bursary, please email ireland@spab.org.uk with a CV, and cover letter explaining your reasons for applying by Monday 5th August 2024.

Address
Rothaí Mill, Co. Cavan