Woodwork and Construction of a Traditional Wooden Building - Ireland
Dates: 3rd July to 31st July 2010
Number of UK Participants: 5
Duration: 4 weeks
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Logs in the yard
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Interior of the workshop
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This placement will run for the first time in 2010 and is managed by Steven Burke, forester and woodworker, who's projects include 'From Tree to Timber Products'. The placement is located 2.5 miles outside the heritage town of Athenry in Co Galway, on 4 acres of land where Steven has lived with his family since October 2000. On the property is the yard which includes a workshop, sheds, a sawmill and a chalet. All over the placement you will find things built out of wood from bridges to rustic furniture, from play structure to gates. Anything that can be made of wood is made of wood. The rest of the land is partly planted tree, that form a small woodland. Some of the trees are mature and a small river runs along two of its boundaries. There is plenty of space for wildlife and on a lucky day, you might see an otter, fox, heron, stoat or a kingfisher along the river. Steven and his family are also known to the local ranger to care for injure or orphaned hedgehogs. One that was released a while ago is still in the garden. They also grow a lot of their own food where there is a vegetable and herb garden, soft fruit and a little orchard, all grown organically. Although the garden is not part of the placement, anyone interested is welcome to learn more or give a hand. The idea is to live as self-sufficient and sustainable as possible, without being puritans!
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Vegetable garden beside the house
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River
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The focus of the 2010 placement is on constructing a traditional post and beam wooden building and will be structured on a week by week basis as follows;
Week 1: An introduction to Irish forestry, timbers used in construction, the milling process and main use of waste wood.
Week 2: Preparing post and beams, laying out mortises and tenons, cutting joints using traditional methods.
Week 3: Assembly and raising: frame assembly and checking for accuracy, like a good old barn raising. Roofing.
Week 4: Boarding in the building and installing windows and doors. Add finishing touches to it.
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Farm Guesthouse
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Family Loghouse
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Students will work from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, with an hour for lunch and weekends off. Lunch during the week will be provided on site at the family home (a log house) built by Steven and helpers. Apart from the chalet on site, which is suitable for one person or a couple and includes a kitchen, accommodation for the group will be at a farm guest house located half a mile from the placement site location. The farm guest house comprises of two double rooms and a single room, which will provide breakfast, duvets, towels and have access to a laundry room. Dinner can be obtained in the town of Athenry, where there are plently of pubs that serve food, restaurants and fast food available. The group will have access to a hire car which will be useful and combine the placement with a good balance of the rural setting of the placement location and the opportunity of going into town in the evenings and on weekends. Athenry is an ideal location to explore in the west of Ireland at the weekend. Also nearby is Galway, which is a very lively town, known for music, festivals, markets and lots of nightlife.
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Chalet in the yard
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Workshop in the yard
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Sawmill
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To the south the limestone hill of the Burren are great for walking and full of ancient sites, like ring fords, roundtowers and tombs. Connemara is north of Galway, which comprises of granite hills and lots of wilderness. The beach is only a 30 minute drive away. During the first and last week, Steven will take the group on fieldtrips to local places with interesting wood work.
Participants are required to bring suitable work clothes, including sturdy boots and waterproofs. The placement is funded by the EU Leonardo da Vinci scheme and covers return flights, accommodation, car hire costs and a subsistence allowance. The placement is targeted at students studying a vocational course related to woodworking at college, school or university, who is interested in pursuing a career within the sector. For more information on the host partner and a profile of Steven Burke and the work he has conducted to date, please visit www.trojanheavyhorses.blogspot.com. To apply, please complete an application form and return it to Grampus.
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Location of Placement in Co Galway Ireland
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NOTE: Participants on all of our placements will now require a European Health Insurance CARD (EHIC). CLICK HERE to visit the external website and apply for your EHIC online. |